Osteochondritis dissecans of a joint

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Osteochondritis dissecans of a joint

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a condition in which a piece of bone or cartilage (or both) inside a joint loses blood supply and dies. OCD may be caused by injury or overuse from an activity that repeatedly jams one bone end against another.

OCD may not cause any symptoms, or symptoms may begin suddenly, develop gradually, or come and go. The condition may be discovered by accident if an X-ray is taken for another reason.

Symptoms of OCD may include:

Pain.
Swelling.
Grating in the joint.
Decreased joint movement.
Locking of the joint.

Symptoms that begin suddenly may be caused by a piece of bone or cartilage that has broken loose and moved into the joint. Degenerative arthritis may develop in the area affected by OCD.

Treatment focuses on resting the joint to allow the cartilage and bone to heal and the swelling to decrease. The bone may take a full year to heal. Surgery may be necessary to remove loose pieces of bone.

Credits

Author	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Editor	Alison Allen
Editor	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Gavin W.G. Chalmers, DPM - Podiatry and Podiatric Surgery
Last Updated	February 8, 2007

Last updated:	February 08, 2007
Author:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Gavin W.G. Chalmers, DPM - Podiatry and Podiatric Surgery
Editors:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC, Tracy Landauer

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