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Medical Author:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Medical Editor:

Catherine Burt Driver, MD

Catherine Burt Driver, MD

Catherine Burt Driver, MD, is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Driver is a member of the American College of Rheumatology. She currently is in active practice in the field of rheumatology in Mission Viejo, Calif., where she is a partner in Mission Internal Medical Group.

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In this Article

• Osteochondritis dissecans facts
• What is osteochondritis dissecans?
• What causes osteochondritis dissecans?
• What are symptoms of osteochondritis dissecans?
• How is osteochondritis dissecans diagnosed?
• What is the treatment of osteochondritis dissecans?
• What is the prognosis of osteochondritis dissecans?
• Can osteochondritis dissecans be prevented?
• Osteochondritis Dissecans Index

Osteochondritis dissecans can be suggested clinically by observing the lack of full range of motion with "locking" of the joint at a certain angle. It is at this angle that the loosened cartilage and bone is literally being "pinched" as the joint is attempting to move. Ultimately, osteochondritis dissecans is best diagnosed with imaging studies, such as magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI scan) or an arthrogram.

There is no cure as such, but the condition can be treated by a variety of means depending on the size and location of the lesion as well as the age of the patient and the degree of symptoms. Arthroscopic surgery is a procedure that is frequently used as a treatment to remove the loose cartilage and bone tissue from the joint.

Sometimes, especially in the very young (juvenile) form, osteochondritis dissecans can spontaneously correct itself.

Indicators of a worse prognosis or outcome include a large-sized lesion, a lesion on a weight-bearing area, and older age of the patient.

It is only possible to prevent osteochondritis dissecans by preventing trauma or injury to the affected joint.

REFERENCE:

Humes, H. David, et al., eds. Kelley's Textbook of Internal Medicine. 4th Edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2000.