Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee

Changed by Henry Knipe, 3 Apr 2018

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Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) most commonly affects the knee. See osteochondritis dissecans article for a general discussion.

Pathology

Location

The condition occurs bilaterally in 25% of cases, and has a characteristic distribution^2,4,6:

medial condyle: 85~78.5% ~~^2,4~~(range 70-85%)
- "classic" lateral surface of the medial condyle: 69~70%
lateral condyle: 15%
- inferocentral portion: 13%⁴
- anterior surface: 2%
~~patello-femoral~~patella: ~7.5% (range 5-10%)
- typically inferomedial
patellofemoral groove (femoral trochlea): ~~uncommon~~<1%
weight-bearing surface of the tibia: uncommon

Radiographic features

These are discussed in the general article on osteochondritis dissecans.

Differential diagnosis

The differential diagnosis includes:

normal fusing apophysis: painless
acute osteochondral fracture

In older patients consider:

-<p><strong>Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)</strong> most commonly affects the knee. See <a href="/articles/osteochondritis-dissecans">osteochondritis dissecans </a>article for a general discussion.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><h5>Location</h5><p>The condition occurs bilaterally in 25% of cases, and has a characteristic distribution:</p><ul>
~~-<li>medial condyle: 85% <sup>2,4</sup><ul><li>"classic" lateral surface of the medial condyle: 69%</li></ul>~~
+<p><strong>Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)</strong> most commonly affects the knee. See <a href="/articles/osteochondritis-dissecans">osteochondritis dissecans </a>article for a general discussion.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><h5>Location</h5><p>The condition occurs bilaterally in 25% of cases, and has a characteristic distribution <sup>2,4,6</sup>:</p><ul>
+<li>medial condyle: ~78.5% (range 70-85%)<ul><li>"classic" lateral surface of the medial condyle: ~70%</li></ul>
~~-<li>inferocentral portion: 13% <sup>4</sup>~~
~~-</li>~~
+<li>inferocentral portion: 13%</li>
~~-<li>patello-femoral groove: uncommon</li>~~
+<li>patella: ~7.5% (range 5-10%)<ul><li>typically inferomedial</li></ul>
+</li>
+<li>patellofemoral groove (femoral trochlea): <1%</li>

References changed:

6. Zanon G, DI Vico G, Marullo M. Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee. Joints. 2014;2(1):29-36. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4295664">PMC4295664</a> [<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25606539">Pubmed</a>]

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Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee

Updates to Article Attributes

Pathology

Location

Radiographic features

Differential diagnosis

See also