Ostochondral Defect

Question 1

What is an Osteochondral Defect?

Answer 1

Focal area of damage that involves both the cartilage and piece of underlying bone

Question 2

How can an osteochondral defect occur?

Answer 2

Can develop acutely as a result of several chronic conditions

1) separation of osteochondral fragment as a result of an acute traumatic injury or as the end result of an unstable fragment in osteochondritis dissecans
2) acute osteochondral impaction of the bone with resultant contour deformity
3) collapse of subchondral bone due to subchondral insufficiency fracture (SIF) or avascular necrosis (AN) or a Bon collapse uncovering a large subchondral cyst