[Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee joint].
BACKGROUND
Osteochondritis dissecans (OD) is an affection of the subchondral bone involving progressive detachment of an osteochondral fragment.


METHODS
This article describes the epidemiology, etiology, clinical appearance, possibilities for radiological diagnostics, and classification of OD and presents conservative and surgical therapeutic techniques.


RESULTS
Treatment of OD depends on the size, location, stability of the fragment, and skeletal maturity. The majority of young patients can be treated conservatively. Surgical interventions include antegrade or retrograde drilling with optional refixation and osteochondral transplantation as well as autologous chondrocyte transplantation.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of surgical intervention are quite promising; nevertheless, further prospective comparative studies are necessary to evaluate effectivity.
Universitätsklinik für Unfallchirurgie, Medizinische Universität Wien. florian.kutscha-lissberg@akh-wien.ac.at
F
F
Kutscha-Lissberg
P
P
Singer
V
V
Vécsei
S
S
Marlovits
D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D010008:Osteochondritis Dissecans / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome