Osteochondritis dissecans

What is osteochondritis dissecans?

Osteochondritis dissecans occurs when a piece of bone loses its blood supply. This weakens the bone and can cause it to separate from the surrounding bone, forming a loose fragment within the joint. Most common in children and young adults, this bone and cartilage condition primarily affects the knee but can also develop in the elbows, ankles, and other joints. 

Orthopaedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians treat bone and cartilage conditions that cause knee pain, like osteochondritis dissecans. Penn Medicine Center for Advanced Cartilage Repair and Osteochondritis Dissecans Treatment is nationally recognized as a leading center for cartilage restoration and ranks third in the country for autologous chondrocyte implantation, a surgical procedure to repair damaged knee cartilage. 

Symptoms of osteochondritis dissecans

Osteochondritis dissecans can take months or even years to develop. Early symptoms may be mild or unnoticeable, especially if the separated bone and cartilage don’t move far out of place. Symptoms vary depending on the affected joint and may include: 

  • Joint pain 
  • Swelling and tenderness 
  • Joint locking or popping 
  • Weakness or instability 
  • Limited joint motion 

What causes osteochondritis dissecans?

Researchers aren’t sure why blood flow to the bone is reduced or interrupted, but believe it may result from: 

  • Repetitive stress to the bone 
  • Genetic factors 

Specialized care for bone and cartilage conditions

Penn Medicine is one of the first centers in the nation to specialize in osteochondritis dissecans, offering the most advanced treatment available in the southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey regions. Our ortopaedic experts specialize in osteochondritis dissecans and have pioneered the latest advancements in diagnosis, treatment, and care. We treat a high volume of people with osteochondritis dissecans and have extensive experience in cartilage repair and cartilage transplant procedures. 

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