Osteochondritis Dissecans Lesion of the Trochlear Groove: A Case of Nonsurgical Management for a Rare Lesion

Abstract

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions are potential causes of knee pain in pediatric patients, with lesions most frequently found on the lateral and medial femoral condyles. This case discusses an OCD lesion of the trochlear groove, a rare location for OCD lesions, in an 11-year-old female athlete. The patient presents after several years of knee pain that had acutely worsened, and both X-ray and MRI demonstrated the lesion, with MRI confirming a stable lesion. While previous literature has leaned towards surgical management, this patient was successfully managed nonoperatively in a locked knee brace for 12 weeks. She then went through 4 weeks of physical therapy and a 4 week progression back into soccer activity with return to full activity in 5 months.