Osteochondritis dissecans in children: location-dependent differences (part II: ankle and elbow)

The classic terminology “osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)” describes a pathologic alteration, centered at the osteochondral junction, involving the subchondral bone and/or its cartilaginous precursor, with risk for lesion instability and disruption of adjacent articular cartilage. Among children and young adults, these sites of osteochondrosis can be a cause of chronic joint pain and are most often found within the knee, the ankle, and the elbow joints. While Part I of this review series focused on shared key definitions, pathophysiologic principles, and imaging considerations, as well as unique differences between lesions at different locations within the knee joint, the current Part II article is devoted to lesions that involve the ankle and elbow joints. Following the outline of the Part I article, an evidence-based literature review on location-specific pathophysiology, imaging considerations, findings of lesion instability, and treatment selection considerations will be discussed for lesions involving the talar dome, capitellum, and humeral trochlea.