Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee (femoral condyle and patella)

Osteochondritis dissecans, also referred to as an osteochondral defect, is an alteration in the subchondral bone structure with risk for instability and disruption of adjacent articular cartilage. Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions of the knee are most often located in the femoral condyle but can also be found in the patella. Children may present with chronic, vague, activity-related knee pain. If the lesion is unstable, children may have mechanical symptoms, swelling, and gait abnormalities. OCD lesions are often initially diagnosed on radiographs and then confirmed, characterized, and staged with MRI. Depending on the stability of the lesion and patient characteristics, OCD lesions are either treated with conservative management non-operatively or with surgical intervention.