Osteochondritis dissecans of the hip: a rare disorder in the aged (case report)

Osteochondritis dessicans of the hip is rare in comparison with occurrence of the disease in other joints. Only about 50 cases have been reported. The literature is reviewed, and a new case is presented. The patients was a 94-year-old Spanish American War Veteran who was unusally active and in good health until the onset of osteochondritis dissecans in the right hip (classic clinical and roentgenologic findings). Despite his advanced age and the severe arthritic changes, under conservative therapy he gradually regained a suprising degree of mobility in the affected hip.