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Osteochondritis dissecans

Última revisión: 15 Sep 2025
Última actualización: 12 Mar 2024

Resumen

Definición

Anamnesis y examen

Principales factores de diagnóstico

  • history of ankle trauma
  • history of repetitive throwing or weight-bearing exercise of the upper extremity
  • history of competitive athletics
  • pain is exacerbated by activity
  • location of pain anteromedial aspect of the knee with the knee flexed to 90º
  • location of pain lateral aspect of elbow
  • location of pain posteromedial aspect of dorsiflexed ankle or anterolateral aspect of plantar-flexed ankle
  • effusion present
  • locking of joint
  • catching of joint
  • decreased range of motion
Todos los datos

Otros factores de diagnóstico

  • knee involvement, age 10 to 20 years
  • elbow involvement, age 11 to 21 years
  • talus involvement, second to fourth decade
  • absence of history of trauma involving the knee or elbow
  • antalgic gait in osteochondritis dissecans involving the knee or talus
  • external rotation gait in osteochondritis dissecans involving the knee
  • relieving factors: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), rest, ice, elevation
  • crepitus
  • Wilson test
  • quadriceps atrophy
Todos los datos

Factores de riesgo

  • repetitive throwing/valgus stress
  • gymnastics/weight-bearing on upper extremity
  • ankle sprain/instability
  • competitive athletics
  • family history
Todos los datos

Pruebas diagnósticas

Primeras pruebas diagnósticas para solicitar

  • knee radiographs
  • ankle radiographs
  • full-length lower extremity film
  • elbow radiographs
Todos los datos

Pruebas diagnósticas que deben considerarse

  • CT
  • MRI
  • MR arthrogram
  • diagnostic arthroscopy
Todos los datos

Algoritmo de tratamiento

Agudo

knee

elbow

ankle (talus)

Colaboradores

Autores

Henry G. Chambers, MD

Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery

University of California, San Diego

Rady Children’s Hospital

San Diego

CA

Disclosures

HGC is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.

Acknowledgements

Dr Henry G. Chambers would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr James L. Carey, Dr Jon Divine, Dr Michael Nett, and Dr Cedric Ortiguera, the previous contributors to this topic.

Disclosures

JLC is an author of a number of references cited in this topic. JD, MN, and CO declared that they had no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

James E. McGrory, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon

The Hughston Clinic PC

Columbus

GA

Disclosures

JEM declares that he has no competing interests.

Nicola Maffulli, MD, MS, PhD, FRCS(Orth)

Centre Lead and Professor of Sports and Exercise Medicine

Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon

Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry

Institute for Health Sciences Education

Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine

Queen Mary University of London

Mile End Hospital

London

UK

Disclosures

NM declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewer acknowledgements

BMJ Best Practice topics are updated on a rolling basis in line with developments in evidence and guidance. The peer reviewers listed here have reviewed the content at least once during the history of the topic.

Disclosures

Peer reviewer affiliations and disclosures pertain to the time of the review.

References

Our in-house evidence and editorial teams collaborate with international expert contributors and peer reviewers to ensure that we provide access to the most clinically relevant information possible.

Key articles

Kocher MS, Tucker R, Ganley TJ, et al. Management of osteochondritis dissecans of the knee: current concepts review. Am J Sports Med. 2006 Jul;34(7):1181-91. Abstract

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Diagnosis and treatment of osteochondritis dissecans. Dec 2023 [internet publication].Full text

Perumal V, Wall E, Babekir N. Juvenile osteochondritis dissecans of the talus. J Pediatr Orthop. 2007 Oct-Nov;27(7):821-5. Abstract

Baker CL 3rd, Baker CL Jr, Romeo AA. Osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum. Am J Sports Med. 2010 Sep;38(9):1917-28. Abstract

Reference articles

A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.

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