Whole body

What It Is

Osteochondritis dissecans is a joint condition where a small piece of bone, and the cartilage covering it, begins to separate from the end of the bone because of a lack of blood supply. The piece of bone and cartilage can then crack and loosen (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). The condition develops in children, teenagers and young adults (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.; Masquijo and Kothari, 2019), and males are affected two to four times more often than females (Turati et al., 2023). It is most common in the knee, but the ankle, elbow and other joints can also be affected (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

The piece of bone loosens because of a loss of blood supply. However, the piece does not always become fully detached.

If the loose piece of bone and cartilage stays in place, you might have few or no symptoms, and it may heal on its own, especially in children who are still growing (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.; Turati et al., 2023). Surgical repair might be needed when fragments come loose and get caught in the moving parts of the joint, or when pain does not settle.

The exact cause of osteochondritis dissecans is unknown, but doctors think it probably involves repeated stress to the bone over time (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.; Turati et al., 2023). It most often appears in teenagers and young adults, most commonly between the ages of 13 and 21 (Masquijo and Kothari, 2019). Symptoms include pain and swelling of the joint, often brought on by sport or physical activity, and stiffness. In more advanced cases the joint may catch or lock (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). An X-ray is essential to diagnose the condition, and an MRI scan can show how much the cartilage is affected (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Osteochondritis Dissecans

Physical therapy usually includes movement and stretching exercises, as well as strengthening exercises for the muscles supporting the joint, and is often recommended after surgery (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). I can guide you through this, within any limits your doctor or surgeon sets. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

Rest the Joint

Avoid activities that place stress on the joint, such as running or jumping, until the symptoms go away. Rest often relieves pain and swelling, and most children start to feel better over a few months of rest and non-surgical treatment (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Options outside my scope

Crutches, splint, cast or brace: if symptoms don't ease with rest, a doctor may recommend keeping weight off the joint or keeping it still for a short time (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.; Masquijo and Kothari, 2019).
Surgery: if non-surgical treatment hasn't worked after several months, or the piece is loose or large, a surgeon may drill into the area to encourage healing, fix the piece in place with pins or screws, remove loose pieces, or replace the damaged area with a graft of bone and cartilage (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.; Masquijo and Kothari, 2019).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

Movement, stretching and strengthening exercises for the joint
Hands-on work for tight or overworked muscles
Technique advice and a gradual return to sport, once your doctor agrees

Tips

Children who take part in organised sports might benefit from education about the risks to their joints when they are overused.
Learning the proper techniques for specific sports and exercises can help to reduce the likelihood of injury.
Males are more likely to develop the condition than females (Turati et al., 2023).
The risk is higher in teenagers aged 12 to 19 than in younger children (Turati et al., 2023).
Repeated stress on the joints, such as from sport, is thought to play a part (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

Treatment

My Approach

Osteochondritis dissecans needs time and protection to heal, and your doctor or surgeon decides how much the joint can do and whether crutches, a brace or surgery are needed. I work inside those limits. If you've had surgery, I need your surgeon's okay before any hands-on treatment.

Please bring any X-ray or scan reports and notes from your medical team to your first visit. They're an important part of planning safe treatment for you.

I assess how your joints move, your strength and balance, and what brings on pain. Parents are welcome to sit in, with their child's agreement, and I'll show you both the home exercises.

While It Heals

Massage for tight muscles around the joint and areas working overtime, such as your shoulders if on crutches
Gentle lymphatic drainage for swelling, and comfortable movement within your limits
Strength work for the muscles that support the joint, starting gently and kept pain-free

Getting Back to Sport

Stretching, then progressive strength, balance and weight-bearing work when your doctor agrees
After surgery, gentle work for stiffness and scar work once the wound has fully healed
Reviewing technique and training load, then a graded return to sport once your doctor or surgeon agrees

If the joint catches, locks or swells up, check in with your doctor.

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: Visits are usually weekly while the joint is resting, then once or twice a week as we build strength for sport, then less often. Most children start to feel better over a few months of rest and non-surgical treatment; after surgery, recovery follows your surgeon's plan and usually takes several months before a full return to sport.

What I Focus On

Working Within Your Team's Limits

Muscle Release

Supporting Strength

Technique & Training Load

Gradual Return to Sport

Sources

References

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo) (n.d.) Osteochondritis Dissecans. Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/osteochondritis-dissecans/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
Masquijo, J. and Kothari, A. (2019) 'Juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD) of the knee: current concepts review', EFORT Open Reviews, 4(5), pp. 201–212. doi: 10.1302/2058-5241.4.180079
Turati, M. et al. (2023) 'Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee: Epidemiology, etiology, and natural history', Journal of Children's Orthopaedics, 17(1), pp. 40–46. doi: 10.1177/18632521221149063

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooOsteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)

What It Is

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Osteochondritis Dissecans

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

While It Heals

Getting Back to Sport

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooOsteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)

What It Is

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Osteochondritis Dissecans

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

While It Heals

Getting Back to Sport

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Anterior Wedge Fracture to the Vertebra

Bone Tumor

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Book a session