How I Manage Osteochondritis Dissecans

In brief: Knee pain and joint effusion are usually among the earliest symptoms of osteochondritis dissecans, a lesion that occurs most often on the articular surfaces of the femoral condyles. It is seen most frequently among active adolescents but can occur in anyone between the ages of 5 and 50. The principal goal of treatment should be to prevent partial or complete detachment of the lesion and alteration in the articular surface leading to degenerative arthrosis. Treatment may be nonoperative or may involve surgery. For treatment purposes, patients are categorized into three groups: children and young adolescents, adolescents and young adults, and adults.