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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffTreatment of osteochondritis dissecans is intended to restore the normal functioning of the affected joint and to relieve pain, as well as reduce the risk of osteoarthritis. No single treatment, however, is effective for everybody. In children whose bones are still growing, the bone defect may heal with a period of rest and protection.
Therapy
Initially, your doctor will likely recommend conservative measures, which are effective in most cases. They may include:
- Resting your joint. Avoid activities that put impact stress on your joint, such as jumping and running. You may need to use crutches for a time, especially if pain causes you to limp.
- Physical therapy. Most often, this therapy includes stretching and range-of-motion exercises, and strengthening exercises for the muscles that support the involved joint.
Surgery
If conservative treatments don't help, you may need surgery to remove loose fragments or to reattach fragments to the bone. In many cases, the procedure can be performed arthroscopically — by inserting a fiber-optic camera and surgical tools through small incisions around the joint.
- Mercier LR. Osteochondritis dissecans. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/184489481-4/955662914/2088/462.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00024-1--sc0065_9490. Accessed Feb. 19, 2010.
- Miller RH, et al. Osteochondritis dissecans. In: Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/184489481-4/955662914/1584/334.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03329-9..50046-5--cesec134_2356. Accessed Feb. 19, 2010.
- Osteochondritis dissecans. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/488.printerview.html. Accessed Feb. 19, 2010.
- Knee problems. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Knee_Problems/default.asp. Accessed Feb. 19, 2010.
- Chorley J, et al. Clinical features and management of ankle pain in the young athlete. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 19, 2010.
- Laskowski ER (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 22, 2010.
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