Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) has been reported to impact 6 to 11.5 per 100,000 people every year, having the greatest impact on males aged 6–19 years old. OCD most commonly presents on the distal femoral condyle of patients, leading to the gait cycle of these patients being altered to reduce pain in the knee joint. While the specific etiology of OCD is unknown, it is believed to be caused by a collection of different factors including genetics, vascular supply, trauma, and development. Patients with OCD can present with swollen, non-localized knee pain, that if lasting long enough can present with atrophy of the quadriceps muscle. If suspected, OCD is first visualized radiographically and then confirmed with MRI; arthroscopy is used to determine the stability of the lesion. Treatment for OCD can be either conservative or surgical. Conservative treatment is reserved for stable, juvenile cases and consists of refraining from high-impact physical activity and bracing. Surgical treatment is another option which consists of either a reparative or restorative procedure selected based upon patient symptoms. OCD should always be treated, and in juvenile patients’ treatment has been successful, with conservative treatment having a 61.4% success rate and surgical treatment having up to a 94.1% success rate.