Osteochondritis dissecans
is a condition in which there is a loss or disruption of the blood supply
to the bones of the knee joint. Gradually the cartilage loosens, and joint
movement causes pain. The problem may arise spontaneously in an active
adolescent or a young adult, and it may lead to early development of osteoarthritis.
The condition may also be caused by a slight blockage of a small artery or
by an unrecognized injury that damaged the overlying cartilage. If several
joints are involved or several family members develop the same problem,
it may be an inherited form of the disease. In some cases, the problem
will resolve itself, but when cartilage separates from bone or a bone fragment
breaks loose into the knee joint, there may be locking of the joint, joint
weakness and pain.
Surgery may be used to stabilize
the joint or to stimulate new blood vessel development. If bone fragments
are loose, surgery may be used to clean the bone surfaces and supplement
the joint with grafted cartilage.
