Osteochondritis Dissecans

Osteochondritis dissecans, which people often call OCD, is a joint condition. It tends to show up in kids, teenagers, and young adults. Osteochondritis dissecans harms the end of one bone inside a joint. It blocks blood flow to part of the bone, which causes it to grow soft and lose strength. Over time, that section of the bone dies and splits away from the rest. OCD creates a lesion or mark where the cartilage and bone separate. OCD often affects these joints: Common

• Knees
• Elbows
• Ankles

Rare

• Shoulders
• Hips

It happens in the knee, on the inner side near the lower end of the thigh bone (femur), called the medial femoral condyle.

Symptoms of Osteochondritis Dissecans At first, you might not notice symptoms if the bone and cartilage pieces don’t move too far out of place. If symptoms of osteochondritis dissecans do show up, they might include:

• Pain in your joints.
• Weakness or lack of strength.
• Swelling in the affected area.
• Stiffness when trying to move.
• Difficulty moving a joint as much as usual.
• A clicking noise when moving the joint.
• A feeling that your joint is unstable or might give out.

What causes Osteochondritis Dissecans? Since it’s seen more often in athletes, many believe regular stress on joints might lead to OCD. Doctors refer to these as microtraumas. These are small high-stress impacts that don’t harm the joint but build up over time and lead to injuries. Activities like running, jumping, or throwing can create microtrauma in your joints. Familial osteochondritis dissecans happens because of a genetic mutation.

Who is more at risk? OCD can happen to anyone, but certain groups are more prone to it. These include:

• People aged between 10 and 20
• Males
• Athletes
• Individuals with close biological relatives who have OCD

Diagnosis and Tests Physical assessment: Doctors will check the affected joint and ask questions about your symptoms. Your orthopaedician will look at how well you can move and compare that movement to your healthy joints, like checking one knee against the other. Imaging:

• X-rays
• MRI
• CT scans In some cases, you might also need genetic tests to confirm or rule out a family history of OCD.

How do doctors treat Osteochondritis Dissecans? The most common ways to treat OCD include:

• Rest: Giving your joint a break helps it recover. Take a pause from sports or heavy physical activities for about one to two months.
• Medication: Using over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen or NSAIDs can lessen pain and swelling.
• Immobilisation: A brace, splint, or cast may be needed to keep your joint steady during healing. Your doctor might recommend crutches to reduce strain on your ankle or knee.
• Physical therapy: A physical therapist could guide you in building strength in the muscles near your joints. They may recommend exercises and stretches to help you regain movement and flexibility.

If symptoms stay severe even after trying other treatments for months, your doctor might recommend surgery. In surgery, the surgeon might:

• Drill a tiny hole in the damaged bone and cartilage. This helps fresh blood flow into the area to promote healing.
• Use pins or screws to secure the bone and cartilage back in place.
• Replace the damaged tissue with a bone graft, either from your own body or a donor.

Prevention You can’t stop osteochondritis dissecans because its exact cause is not fully understood. To keep your joints healthy, focus on staying in good general health by doing these things:

• Eat meals that work well with your body.
• Stay active. Options like biking, weightlifting, swimming, or water aerobics are great choices. The best type of exercise depends on how healthy your joints are and how fit you are. If your joints start hurting during or after working out, give yourself time to rest.
• Use proper protective gear while playing sports, doing physical activities, or working.