Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a condition located in the knee and is especially common in young athletes. Warning signs include anterior or general knee pain, swelling, locking, and crepitus. When either of these conditions occur a careful physical examination should be done. The examination should include: The Wilson test, thigh grith measurements, diagnostic tunnel view radiographs, and other imaging studies as needed for grading and prognosis. Treatment should be especially cautious if the patient is not skeletally mature.
OCD is defined as a painful condition in which a section of articular cartilage and its underlying bone slowly separates from the surrounding bone. A person with this such condition should be examined immediately due to not only the seriousness of this problem but also the considerable repetitive stress it can add to the legs.
There is many different treatments used for OCD depending on the age of the person with the condition. If the person is between the ages of 10 and 13 they usually wonÕt need any medical procedures done, but will just need to limit their activity until the pain is gone or minimal. The same goes for ages 12 to 15, but sometimes they are restricted to crutches until their pain is gone also. For all ages other than this, treatments can vary, but they will usually require arthroscopic surgery.
In conclusion, if you are an adolescent experiencing any of the symptoms you should seek medical attention immediately. If you are an adult experiencing any of the symptoms, you should seek medical attention attention. If conditions worsen, you might need to seek the attention of an orthopedic surgeon.