Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) is a condition that occurs when the cartilage in the joint is damaged and starts to die. Owing to the lack of blood flow, this condition can be very painful. The disorder has been found in kids and adolescents due to their enhanced activity. High impact sports like jumping and running puts pressure on joints which can cause the disorder. The disorder can also occur in adults after an injury. Sometimes an injury as routine as an ankle sprain can unfortunately result in OCD formation.
In Osteochondritis Dissecans, there is damage to the blood supply of the joint. A little piece of cartilage starts to separate from the rest of the joint because of the absence of blood supply. This prompts breakdown of the bone and causes an OCD lesion.
Cause of OCD:
There is no one cause of OCDs, but it is usually caused by a combination of factors, including genetics, age, injury, and the environment. OCDs can often be felt worse during a physical exam. Treatment typically involves surgery to remove the affected cartilage and often involves physical therapy to help the patient regain mobility and pain relief.
It is thought to be due to a combination of factors, including:
-Abnormal blood supply to the bone
-Genetic factors
-Repetitive injury
Symptoms of OCD:
Depending on the severity of the disorder, there might be different symptoms appearing as a consequence of the disorder. These symptoms include:
- Pain is the first symptom that appears due to the disorder. During any physical activity like climbing stairs or playing any sports, pain may appear in the affected part of body. Going up and down stairs can be particularly painful.
- Swelling may also appear in the affected body part.
- The joint may get stuck in one position.
- With time, weakness appears in the joint.
- There may be clicking with joint motion.
Treatment of OCD:
This condition almost always requires treatment and if it is not properly treated, it can ultimately result in arthritis of the joint. Prolonging treatment may result in further damage of the cartilage and can change the type of treatment that is required. Treatment for osteochondritis dissecans includes rest, pain relief, and physical therapy. Surgery may be necessary to restore blood flow to the area.
In general, the smaller the size of the lesion, the better the outcome will be. Delaying treatment can result in the lesion getting larger and harder to repair. Your doctor may recommend you get advanced imaging such as an MRI to get a better idea of the size and depth of the lesion.
If you have any of the symptoms associated with an OCD lesions please come see us right away so we can begin early treatment and resolve the issue before it worsens.
We here at Texas Foot and Ankle Consultants treat any and every foot and ankle condition. If you believe that you have an ingrown nail and it’s not responding to at-home care, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will resolve your pain the same day.