Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Medial and Lateral Femoral Condyles affecting Adult Knee

Abstract

We report the first case of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) affecting a large area of lateral and medial femoral condyles with adult-onset in the same knee of the 22-year old professional athlete with respect to result of applied therapeutic procedure. After a clinical examination, radiograph and magnetic resonance imaging showed a huge bicondylar OCD.  Through arthrotomy, the osteochondral fragment was fixed with biodegradable pins combined with two threaded 4 mm cobalt-chrome cancellous screws. By using this surgical fixation procedure, osteochondral fragments healed completely, which is evidenced artroscopically one year after a new trauma episode which resulted in the lateral meniscus reinjury. According to our knowledge this is the first reported case of bicondylar OCD affecting adult knee. In the rare case of such a large osteochondral defect, when fixation with biodegradable pins could be insufficient, a combination with cancellous screws can bring good results, even in professional athletes.