CC BY-NC-ND-license · Joints 2016; 04(03): 165-170
DOI: 10.11138/jts/2016.4.3.165
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

From loose body to osteochondritis dissecans: a historical account of disease definition

Vittorio Tarabella
1   I Orthopaedic and Traumatology Clinic - Biomechanics and Technology Innovation Laboratory; Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
,
Giuseppe Filardo
1   I Orthopaedic and Traumatology Clinic - Biomechanics and Technology Innovation Laboratory; Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
,
Berardo Di Matteo
1   I Orthopaedic and Traumatology Clinic - Biomechanics and Technology Innovation Laboratory; Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
,
Luca Andriolo
1   I Orthopaedic and Traumatology Clinic - Biomechanics and Technology Innovation Laboratory; Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
,
Patrizia Tomba
2   Biblioteche Scientifiche IOR, Donazione Putti, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
,
Anna Viganò
2   Biblioteche Scientifiche IOR, Donazione Putti, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
,
Maurilio Marcacci
1   I Orthopaedic and Traumatology Clinic - Biomechanics and Technology Innovation Laboratory; Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
15 September 2017 (online)

Abstract

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a rare yet fascinating disease affecting young, active patients. It remains a ‘mysterious disease’ whose etiopathology, still unclear, is the subject of ongoing studies aiming improving the knowledge of this condition and, therefore, treatment options, too. Even though the first descriptions of intra-articular loose bodies date back to very ancient times, it is only relatively recently that, thanks to the contribution of some very eminent physicians, it became recognized as a specific orthopaedic condition. The aim of the present manuscript is to trace the main steps in the journey that led to the acknowledgement of OCD as an autonomous clinical entity, and to recall the prominent figures involved.