Osteochondrosis dissecans

Osteochondrosis dissecans, also called OCD, is a disease that leads to cartilage and bone damage (bone necrosis). More precisely, it leads to the death of bone close to the joint. At the beginning of this disease, only the bone is affected (stage I-II), the cartilage remains intact. As the disease progresses, the cartilage in the joint changes (stage II-III), until finally the cartilage or bone becomes detached (stage III-IV). The cartilage bone fragment that detaches at an advanced stage is also called a joint mouse or dissekat. It can move freely in the joint space, which can lead to considerable pain but also damage and blockage of the joint. If these osteochondral defects remain untreated, the joint can be partially destroyed. As a later consequence, joint wear and tear, i.e. osteoarthritis, may develop. Osteochondrosis dissecans occurs most frequently in the knee joint, but can also occur in the hip, elbow joint or ankle joint (talus). Mainly affected by OCD are young people who are growing and athletic people. However, older people can also suffer from osteochondrosis dissecans. Often the course of the disease shows considerable differences between young and old affected persons.

Therefore, osteochondrosis dissecans is also divided into 2 groups:

Juvenile OCD (JOCD): In children as well as adolescents with an open growth plate.
Adult OCD: In adults with a closed growth plate.

The exact causes that trigger osteochondrosis dissecans have not been fully clarified to date. It is assumed that there is a local reduction in blood flow to the affected bone area. Of course, there are also other factors that favor the development of osteochondrosis dissecans. For example, children and adolescents who are active in sports are more likely to develop osteochondrosis dissecans. Therefore, it is assumed that recurring mechanical loads during sports trigger a reduced perfusion of the bones, which leads to the death of small bone areas (necrosis).

Such constant loads, e.g. in the knee joint, can cause microtrauma, which leads to the local blood supply at the joint being disturbed. Such microtrauma is mainly caused by sports that require rapid stopping movements or changes of direction, as is the case with soccer or tennis players.

If osteochondrosis dissecans is a cartilage bone fragment that dies (becomes necrotic), a flake fracture is a piece of cartilage bone (osteochondral defect) in the joint that breaks out of the joint due to force. Treatment for both types of disease is surgery and refixation of the free joint body (flake – fracture or articular mouse) with screws made of human bone to the vital bone.

Often, at the beginning of the disease, there are no symptoms and the affected person is symptom-free. OCD may not be recognized, especially in the early stages, and thus is often discovered only by chance during an X-ray or MRI. Initial symptoms may include pain in the respective affected regions. If the disease progresses and thus detachment of the bone fragment occurs, the pain becomes significantly more severe. It can also lead to joint swelling and inflammation of the damaged regions. In the worst case, joint locking occurs. In affected individuals, the affected joint suddenly jams, which in turn can trigger severe pain. The gait pattern can also change as a result.

How OCD is best treated depends on each patient and the particular stage of osteochondrosis dissecans. Treatment is divided into conservative and surgical therapy. It also depends on which area is affected and how old the patient is.

Osteochondrosis dissecans can be divided into 4 stages. Depending on the stage, the therapy can also be derived.

• Stage 1: softened but intact cartilage, stable lesion.

Optional therapy: Regular check-up of the joint in order not to miss a progression of the disease. Unloading of the affected joint. At this stage, osteochondrosis dissecans may partially regress.

• Stage 2: partial cartilage discontinuity, stable lesion.

Optional therapy: regular control of the joint. To stimulate blood flow to the dissect, surgery may be helpful.

• Stage 3: not yet dislocated, complete dissecat.

Optional therapy: Surgery may be helpful to stimulate blood flow to the dissected joint. In this case, screws made of human bone have proven effective for stabilization and revascularization (blood flow / sprouting of small vessels) of the dissecat.

• Stage 4: free or detached dissecting catheter

Optional therapy: In order to stimulate blood flow to the dissect, surgery may be helpful. In this case, screws made of human bone have proven effective for stabilization and revascularization (blood flow / sprouting of small vessels) of the dissect.

Conservative treatment is only applicable in stage 1. In this case, the respective affected joint is spared or relieved for a longer period of time. This leads to an improvement in blood circulation and a reduction in the pressure load on the affected joint. Sports with many jerky movements as well as jumping and landing movements, such as tennis or soccer, should not be performed during this period. In addition, anti-inflammatory medication can be taken if necessary. Once the patient is no longer in pain, everyday activities can be resumed. Sports should not be resumed until an improvement in the findings has been confirmed by an MRI and the patient no longer feels any pain.

If conservative therapies do not achieve satisfactory results, surgery is recommended, depending on the stage. Do you have osteochondrosis dissecans and are looking for a specialist who can find the optimal treatment option for you? Contact us and we will recommend an expert in your area without obligation!