Can you see an osteochondral defect on xray?

Radiographic features Both x-rays and CT are able to detect displaced defects with ease. However, they are insensitive to grading lower stage lesions and are inadequate in predicting stability.

What is an osteochondral defect of the patella?

An osteochondral defect, also commonly known as osteochondritis dissecans, of the knee refers to a damage or injury to the smooth articular cartilage surrounding the knee joint and the bone underneath the cartilage.

What is an osteochondral injury to the knee?

Osteochondral lesions or osteochondritis dessicans can occur in any joint, but are most common in the knee and ankle. Such lesions are a tear or fracture in the cartilage covering one of the bones in a joint. The cartilage can be torn, crushed or damaged and, in rare cases, a cyst can form in the cartilage.

How is osteochondral defect of the knee treated?

Non-surgical treatment: The goal of conservative treatment is to reduce pain and inflammation in the joint. This can often be done with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Hot and cold therapy, as well as rest, and activity modification are recommended.

What causes an osteochondral defect?

Most osteochondral defects are caused by one of two events: Wear and tear over time. Injury from sports or physical activity: Injuries usually occur with a combination of twisting force and direct impact that damages the cartilage.

Is osteochondral defect a fracture?

Injuries on the articular surface of a joint are commonly called chondral or osteochondral fractures but may also be known as transchondral fractures. An osteochondral fracture is considered an injury that damages the cartilage and underlying subchondral bone.

Is an osteochondral defect arthritis?

Discussion. Osteochondral defects are common in osteoarthritis and challenging to heal. Numerous tissue engineering biomaterials have been developed and most of them were evaluated in normal OCD pre-clinical animal models, ignoring the inflammatory environment.

Do osteochondral defects get worse?

Treatments. Osteochondral defects generally linger or get worse unless they’re treated.

Do osteochondral defects heal?

Osteochondral defects of the ankle can either heal and remain asymptomatic or progress to deep ankle pain on weight bearing and formation of subchondral bone cysts.

How serious is osteochondral defect?

When osteochondral defects are present, they can range in their severity: Slight pain caused by damaged cartilage. Moderate movement problems and pain caused by fragments of bone and cartilage. Total loss of cartilage, leaves bones grinding together and often severe pain.

Is osteochondral defect the same as osteoarthritis?

Osteochondral lesions (OCs) are typically of traumatic origins but are also caused by degenerative conditions, in primis osteoarthritis (OA). On the other side, OC lesions themselves, getting worse over time, can lead to OA, indicating that chondral and OC defects represent a risk factor for the onset of the pathology.

What is an osteochondral defect of the knee?

An osteochondral defect refers to a focal area of damage that involves both the cartilage and a piece of underlying bone. These can occur from an acute traumatic injury to the knee or an underlying disorder of the bone. This is distinctly different than arthritis and should be thought of differently as…

What is an osteochondral defect (OCD)?

Osteochondral defects ( OCD) or lesions ( OCL) are focal areas of damage with articular cartilage damage and injury of the adjacent subchondral bone plate and subchondral cancellous bone . Osteochondral defect is a broad term that describes the morphological change of a localized gap in the articular cartilage and subchondral bone 5.

Which radiographic findings are characteristic of chondromalacia patellae?

Chondromalacia patellae can either occur in isolation or secondary to other conditions, including 1-4: Plain radiographs of the knee cannot assess for chondral changes directly and can only demonstrate features of osteoarthritis (OA) involving the patellofemoral joint in end-stage disease. A joint effusion may be visible.

What is a chondral defect in the bone?

Chondral/Osteochondral Defect. During a microfracture (which is typically done arthroscopically), tiny holes are made in the bone to create tunnels to the underlying bone marrow and natural stem cells. Through these tiny channels, the stem cells flow into this area of bone and coat the area where the cartilage is lost.