Learning about OCD can not only put your mind at ease about you or your child’s treatment, but it can also help you make an informed decision. We have many case loads that reflect common scenarios patients face. We also have provided a list of resources to find more information.

What is OCD?
What Causes OCD?
What is the difference between an “osteochondral fracture” or “chondral injury” and ‘OCD’?
Which joints are most commonly affected by OCD?
Is OCD a common problem?
Who gets affected by OCD most commonly?
What are the signs of OCD?
What treatment options are available for OCD?
What is “activity modification”?
What kind of surgery is available to treat OCD?
What is the difference between X-Ray and MRI to look at OCD?
Can OCD’s come back?
Do OCD’s run in families?
If I have an OCD of  my knee, what is the chance that I will have an OCD of another joint?

What is OCD?

Osteochronditis dissecans (aka “OCD”) is a condition in which the bone that supports the cartilage inside a joint undergoes softening. This softening is caused by an interruption in the blood flow to that portion of bone. Over time, if left untreated, this can lead to damage to the overlying cartilage of the joint.  Loose pieces of bone and cartilage can even break off into joint.  Long term ramifications may even include arthritis. Top

What Causes OCD?

No one knows exactly what causes OCD, but it has been associated with acute injuries as well as long term repetitive impact to the joint (overuse injuries).  It may also be related to problems with blood supply. Top

What is the difference between an “osteochondral fracture” or “chondral injury” and ‘OCD’?

Osteochondral fracture (when a piece of bone that also contains joint cartilage breaks off in the joint) or chondral injury (an injury just to the cartilage in the joint) is similar to OCD, but it is generally caused by an acute injury to the cartilage and underlying bone. It can happen in association with ligament injuries, such as tearing of the ACL. OCD (osteochondritis dissecans), on the other hand, is considered a chronic process that can go on for months to years before any symptoms are felt. Top

Which joints are most commonly affected by OCD?

The knee, ankle and elbow are the most commonly affected joints. Please click here to learn more about OCD of the Talus (Ankle) Top

Is OCD a common problem?

OCD is a relatively rare problem, likely affecting far less than 1 percent of the population. Top

Who gets affected by OCD most commonly?

The age group that is most frequently affected is adolescents, ages 12 to 19. Top

What are the signs of OCD?

Not all OCDs cause signs or symptoms (i.e. you may not know anything is wrong with the knee for much of the time), but can include knee pain, usually worse with increased activity, knee swelling, and possibly clicking and popping sensations. These may be preceded by a small injury that seemed to get better on its own.

The signs and symptoms of an acute injury to cartilage, on the other hand, are more obvious. There is usually a known twisting or contact injury to the knee, with rapid knee swelling and difficulty putting weight on the extremity. There may also be a sensation of clicking and locking of the involved joint. Top

What treatment options are available for OCD?

Children with growth remaining in their knee (boys below age 16 and girls below age 14) will often be treated without surgery.  Resting from impact activities (like running and jumping) is recommended for at least 3 months.  Many physicians will also recommend crutches, bracing, and or casting.

However, if the OCD does not heal, or if it is “unstable” or threatening to break off when it is first discovered, surgery may be required. Top

What is “activity modification”?

If your doctor has recommended that you or your child modify activity, all activities that involve running or jumping should be avoided.  These include activities and sports like soccer, basketball, lacrosse, baseball, tennis, volleyball, softball, racket sports, gymnastics, and dance.  Safer alternatives that your doctor may allow include swimming, biking, and yoga. Top

What kind of surgery is available to treat OCD?

The surgical choices to treat OCD depend on whether the OCD is firmly in place (stable) or threatening to loosen or dislodge (unstable).  The following are a few examples of the many surgeries that are currently available to treat OCD.

– If the OCD is stable, the goal of the surgery is to help the OCD heal. This is most often done arthroscopically, with small incisions assisted by camera and small tools. A small pin is used to make drill holes to help encourage blood to flow to the area to heal the bone and cartilage.
– If the OCD is unstable, the point of the surgery is to make it firm or stable. A screw or dart may be used to hold the OCD in place to help it heal.
– If the bone and cartilage have broken off, and cannot be fixed, the goal of surgery is to place new cartilage in the hole.

o This can be done by ‘microfracture’, or stimulation of the bone, to make new scar tissue that acts like cartilage.
o Cartilage and bone may be moved from an area of the knee that does not need it, this is called osteochondral transplantation, or ‘OATS’. Cartilage and bone from a cadaver may alternatively be used to fill the hole.
o Lastly, the patient’s own cartilage may be sent to a lab and used to grow new cartilage that may be put back into the patient a few months later. This is called autogenous chondrocyte implantation, or ‘ACI’.

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What is the difference between X-Ray and MRI to look at OCD?

X-Ray looks at bone.  If the OCD involved the bone (which is under the cartilage), then the OCD will show up on X-Ray.  There are special X-Ray views that your doctor may order to best see the OCD.

If the OCD does not show up on X-Ray, it may be because it only involves the cartilage.  In this case, MRI scan will best show the OCD.  MRI will also give more detail about the OCD, and may show whether the OCD is firmly in place (‘stable’) or not (‘unstable’), and whether it is healing or not. Top

Can OCD’s come back?

Once an OCD is healed, we do not believe that they can “come back.”  However, sometimes an OCD acts like it has healed, or looks like it has healed, when in fact it has not.  In this case, there may be a misconception that the OCD has “come back.” Top

Do OCD’s run in families?

There are some reports of families that have many cases of OCD.  However, most patients with OCD do not have family members with OCD’s, so there is not thought to be a strong genetic or family disposition for OCD. Top

If I have an OCD of  my knee, what is the chance that I will have an OCD of another joint?

OCD of the knee is thought to be bilateral, or in both knees, about 1 out of 4 times.  However, there is no known link between OCD of the knee and OCD of other joints. Top