[Dissecting osteochondritis of the patella. Apropos of 12 cases]

The authors report 12 cases of osteochondritis dissecans of the patella. The relative rarity of this condition (one hundred published cases) is perhaps only apparent, as the diagnosis is sometimes difficult early in the disease. Drawing from their personal cases and from data in the literature, the authors recall the clinical and radiological signs, describe the place of complementary investigations and therapeutic indications and discuss the various pathogenic theories, none of which are fully satisfactory.