Grade I Osteochondritis Dissecans in a Young Professional Athlete

BACKGROUND: Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a disorder primarily affecting subchondral bone, with secondary effects on the overlying articular cartilage. Knee joint (75%) and radiocapitellar joint (6%) are the most common sites for OCD lesions. The presence of an open growth plate differentiates juvenile osteochondritis dissecans from adult form of osteochondritis. Early diagnosis and treatment produce best long term results. The objective of this study is to determine the best mode of management of a Grade I osteochondritis lesion in a young athlete. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A PubMed search was made using the keywords “OCD” and “athlete”. Articles that were based on participants between the ages of 6–24 years (children, adolescent and young adult) and early stages of OCD were included in this study. A total of 25 articles were thus included for the review. RESULTS: The healing potential is based on the age of the patient, status of physis, and stage of the lesion. Most authors have observed good to excellent results of drilling of early OCD in skeletally mature patients. Similarly, most authors also reported equally successful outcomes of nonoperative treatment for early OCD in skeletally immature patients. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend initial nonoperative line of management in patients with open physis. In case of progression of the lesion or failure of conservative treatment a reparative, restorative or palliative surgical intervention can be done. For Stage I OCD lesions in patients with closed physis, we advocate reparative surgery either by means of retro- or trans-articular drilling.