What is the definition or description of: osteochondritis dissecans?

OCD: Basically it is where the bone beneath the articular cartilage of a joint fails to provide nutrition to the overlying cartilage causing it to break free and die. It has been seen in the elbow and knee as well as other joints. It probably has a vascular causal source although no one knows for sure. It is a diagnosis limited to open physes.

AVASCULAR BONE: Ocd results from an area of bone in a joint 2 loose it's blood supply it is held in place by a fibrous union that moves microscopically and is painfull. It can breakloose and float around with the articular cartilage attached and health as it gets its nutriants from the joint fluid. It can cause wear, loacking and swelling of a joint and if large and in an important wt bearing part of a knee=surg.

Joint fragment: Osteochondritis dissecans (OD)joint condition in which piece of cartilage, along with a thin layer of the bone beneath it, comes loose from end of bone.OD occurs most often in young men, particularly after an injury.OD is mostly in knee but can occur in ankle and elbow. Fragment close to where detached, may have few or no symptoms, fracture may heal by itself.Surgical repair if loose fragment.

Dr Harper agreed