Adolescents with Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Femoral Condyle Present with High Rates of Corresponding Coronal Malalignment

• DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.24.00220
• Publication Date: 2025-03-30T20:36:32Z
• Authors: V. Claire Clark; Benjamin L. Johnson; Charles W. Wyatt; Bayley N. Potter; Philip L. Wilson; Henry B. Ellis
• Keywords: Osteochondritis dissecans; FEMORAL CONDYLE; Osteochondritis

Background: Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee (KOCD) may be a source pain in active, skeletally immature patients. An association between condylar lesion location and lower-extremity coronal plane malalignment has been established, but clinical implications have poorly understood. This study aimed to confirm high rate KOCD variation demographic characteristics, presentation features, disease severity those with without malalignment. Methods: Prospectively collected clinical, demographic, radiographic data were obtained, standard standing alignment measurements evaluated from an institutional cohort. Alignment was defined as whether mechanical axis passed condyles (neutral), lateral femoral condyle (valgus), or medial (varus). Comparative analysis performed lesions each presenting The Fisher exact test chi-square used analyze categorical variables, t Mann-Whitney U continuous variables. Results: examined 187 knees (156 patients, mean age 12.9 years, 36.4% female); 66.3% had (MFC) lesions. Malalignment found 47.6% all cases 45.9% cases. Twenty-nine (23.4%) 124 MFC varus knees, 42 (66.7%) 63 (LFC) valgus knees. that presented more likely Black African American patients (p = 0.008) larger size, width 16.6 mm compared not at 14.1 0.008). Similar differences LFC which represented nearly (91.7%; p 0.05) sagittal 20.8 16.4 for 0.006). Conclusions: Nearly one-half and, thus, candidates guided growth. corresponding involved compartment common present two-thirds When placed weight-bearing within compartment, advanced. Thus, consideration should given addressing during evaluations. Level Evidence: Prognostic III . See Instructions Authors complete description levels evidence.