title: From loose body to osteochondritis dissecans: a historical account of disease definition.
abstract: Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a rare yet fascinating disease affecting young, active patients. It remains a 'mysterious disease' whose etiopathology, still unclear, is the subject of ongoing studies aiming improving the knowledge of this condition and, therefore, treatment options, too. Even though the first descriptions of intra-articular loose bodies date back to very ancient times, it is only relatively recently that, thanks to the contribution of some very eminent physicians, it became recognized as a specific orthopaedic condition. The aim of the present manuscript is to trace the main steps in the journey that led to the acknowledgement of OCD as an autonomous clinical entity, and to recall the prominent figures involved.
authors.affiliation: I Orthopaedic and Traumatology Clinic - Biomechanics and Technology Innovation Laboratory; Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tarabella
authors.affiliation: I Orthopaedic and Traumatology Clinic - Biomechanics and Technology Innovation Laboratory; Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Filardo
authors.affiliation: I Orthopaedic and Traumatology Clinic - Biomechanics and Technology Innovation Laboratory; Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Berardo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: DI Matteo
authors.affiliation: I Orthopaedic and Traumatology Clinic - Biomechanics and Technology Innovation Laboratory; Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Andriolo
authors.affiliation: Biblioteche Scientifiche IOR, Donazione Putti, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tomba
authors.affiliation: Biblioteche Scientifiche IOR, Donazione Putti, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Viganò
authors.affiliation: I Orthopaedic and Traumatology Clinic - Biomechanics and Technology Innovation Laboratory; Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurilio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marcacci
keywords: disease; etiology; joint; loose body; osteocondritis dissecans