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Juvenile Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee (Updated November 2005)


Introduction


Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a partial or complete separation of a segment of articular cartilage with underlying subchondral bone. Juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD) of the knee occurs in immature patients before closure of the distal femoral physes. JOCD is seen more frequently in athletic children after the age of 10 years. With males more affected than females (male to female ratio 4:1) and bilaterality of 20 to 30 %. The classic location of JOCD is on the lateral aspect of the medial femoral condyle (70% of cases). The lateral femoral condyle is affected in 20% of cases, and patella in 10% of cases (Sales de Gauzy 1999). Patients with JOCD present with pain, stiffness and mild effusion after exercises. Treatment of symptomatic patients is necessary to prevent dislodgement of the OCD lesion into the joint.