Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) should be considered in young, active patients who have generalized or anterior knee pain. A careful physical exam includes a Wilson test, thigh girth measurements, diagnostic tunnel view radiographs, and other imaging studies as needed for grading and prognosis. Two case reports demonstrate the signs and symptoms of OCD. Treatment by primary care physicians with sports medicine training may be conservative if lesions are medial and in situ and if patients are not skeletally mature; otherwise, referral is advised. Prompt surgical treatment is generally successful.