Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the ankle doesn’t develop often, but when it does, you’ll need some medical intervention.
Active youth who play basketball and soccer often develop sore ankles. The strain put on the ankle joint from those activities is sometimes so great it causes pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the joint. But how can you tell if it’s a simple sprain or a rare condition known as osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)?
Osteochondritis dissecans in the ankle is pretty rare, but it typically strikes youth and adolescents who play intense sports. OCD can occur in any joint, but it’s more common in the ankle, knees, and elbows. One government study estimates that OCD affects between 2 to 4.6 out of every 100,000 juveniles. Among adults, the incidence rate is slightly lower, at 3.42 per 100,000, with most cases linked to untreated adolescent OCD.
Although the chances you or your child will develop OCD of the ankle are low, it’s important to understand its causes and symptoms so you can get the treatment you need quickly.
What is osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the ankle?
To understand osteochondritis dissecans of the ankle, it’s helpful to know how joints function. A joint forms where two bones meet, with the ends of the bone covered by articular cartilage. This cartilage ensures smooth movement and protects the bones from friction.
However, traumatic injuries or repeated stress to the ankle joint can sometimes cause the cartilage and bone to fracture or crack. This breakage can disrupt the blood supply to the bone and tissue, making it difficult for it to heal.
In some cases, the broken bone fragment, referred to as a lesion, remains within the bone, or it may detach, leading to a floating bone piece roaming within the joint. Typical symptoms include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Limited range of motion
- A catching sensation when moving the ankle
- Grinding or popping sounds
To diagnose OCD, your doctor will perform a physical examination. X-rays may be taken to assess the size and status of the lesion, while an MRI can determine any damage to the cartilage. After that, your doctor will recommend the best treatment plan to resolve the condition. It’s best to ensure that you see a doctor if you suspect that you may have osteochondritis dissecans in the ankle, as leaving it alone increases your risk of developing arthritis in the area.
How to treat osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)
Age and severity of the condition dictate treatment options. For young people whose bones are still developing, OCD resolves on its own in time. A typical timeline for youth to fully recover is two to four months. Along the way, a doctor will check the healing process to ensure that the bone and cartilage are recovering well.
Conservative treatments include:
Rest. Avoid the activity that likely caused the condition, which means refraining from sports for a while.
Immobilization. During the recovery phase, your doctor will recommend walking on crutches or wearing a cast or boot to immobilize the joint and give it time to heal.
Medications. Your doctor may also recommend anti-inflammatory pain relievers to address the discomfort and swelling.
Physical therapy. Once the joint is recovered, physical therapy is often recommended to get blood pumping through the area again and regain function.
For severe or unresponsive cases, surgery may be necessary, especially for lesions larger than 1 centimeter. Arthroscopic procedures can:
- Stabilize lesions using pins or screws.
- Graft new bone or cartilage onto damaged areas to promote healing.
- Drill into the lesion to encourage new blood vessel growth.
After surgery, patients typically use crutches for six weeks, followed by two to four months of physical therapy to restore strength and mobility.
Restore your ankle to health with our help
As a leading sports medicine center, the doctors at New York Bone & Joint Specialists have seen all types of orthopedic conditions. From common sprains to rare cases like OCD, our tailored treatment plans are designed to help you live pain-free, no matter what active lifestyle you live. Contact us today for a consultation.
