Osteochondritis Dessicans Flashcards
What is Osteochondritis dessicans?
Piece of cartilage, along with a thin layer of the bone beneath it, comes loose from the end of a bone.
What are some likely causes of this?
- Reduction of blood flow due to trauma
- Genetic components
Which stage of the lesion is most common and what presents with this?
• Stage III - completely detached fragment that remains within the underlying crater bed.
Which part of the knee joint is commonly affected in this condition?
Medial femoral condyle
Describe the clinical presentation of Osteochondritis dessicans
Vague and poorly defined symptoms, including variable amounts of pain and swelling.
Catching, locking, and giving-way in progressed lesions
Why would you ask patients about how they experience their symptoms?
Symptoms that are constant and severe are typically associated with loose bodies within the knee.
Symptoms that are increasing in frequency may indicate progression of the lesion.
What would you be looking for while observing the patients gait?
The affected leg may be externally rotated during gait in an attempt to avoid impingement of the tibial spine on the lateral aspect of the condyle.
What would be a useful test for this condition?
The Wilson test
Flexing the affected knee at 90 degrees then adding rotation and extending the knee to see if any development of pain
Should osteopaths treat this condition?
No!
Treatment may worsen the affected joint with free body substances floating around.
