Osteochondritis Dessicans

Osteochondritis Dessicans is a condition in which there is a breakdown in the articular cartilage covering of a joint. The condition seems to commonly affect adolescents (males more than females) involved in heavily demanding sports, soccer again in particular.

In this condition a piece of cartilage and often a piece of underlying bone becomes detached and floats as a loose body in the affected joint. The sites most frequently involved are THE LATERAL FEMORAL CONDYLE (outer knuckle) of the knee or sometimes THE TALUS bone of the ankle.

The condition is thought to be due to a problem with the blood supply affecting the particular area or can present as a result of direct trauma to the joint.

Sufferers can report a variety of symptoms including pain, swelling, locking, giving way and instability.

Treatment can be complex and long. Conservative treatment will involve a period of rest of between six and twelve months, to allow healing of the damaged area. Surgery may be an option to re-attach the fragment. Implants of laboratory grown cartilage are still in the relatively early stages of research but are being performed. Twelve to eighteen months is a ballpark time figure for the recovery period in such cases.

Whether the chosen route is conservative or surgical the opinion of and regular review by a specialist is of paramount importance. Once the all clear has been given for the resumation of activity a specialised rehabilitation program under the jurisdiction of an experienced rehabilitationist is a must.

For further detailed information of how to manage and rehabilitate osteochondritis dessicans please click here