Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee: Pathophysiology, MRI Findings, and Modern Treatment Approaches
Introduction Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the knee represents one of the most critical developmental and acquired osteochondral disorders affecting young athletes. With the advent of advanced imaging modalities such as MRI, the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms, classification, and management strategies for OCD has expanded significantly. This column presents a detailed case-based review—derived from a 12-year-old male patient presenting with progressive knee pain—integrating global expert-level perspectives supported by up-to-date literature and imaging correlation. Case Overview A 12-year-old boy presented with progressive right knee pain that worsened over several months following sports activity. Radiographs and MRI were performed for diagnostic clarification. [Figure 1] Right knee anteroposterior and lateral radiographs showing a well-demarcated osteochondral lesion along the lateral aspect of the medial femoral condyle. A ...