Osteochondrosis dissecans ( O.D. ) of the knee joint and Ahlbäck's disease
In osteochondrosis dissecans of the knee joint, the gradual detachment of a poorly perfused bone/cartilage portion of the joint surface usually occurs in adolescence. If untreated, this leads in 4 successive stages to the detachment of the "dissecate". This free joint body is then often referred to as a joint mouse. Ahlbäck's disease is a similar disease in older people.
Symptoms
The cause of osteochondrosis dissecans is not yet known. Genetic causes and trauma appear to be conceivable causes.
Causes
Depending on the stage, load-dependent pain, swelling of the knee joint and even signs of entrapment.
Therapy
In stages I and II, retrograde O.D. drilling leads to increased blood flow and reconnection of the closing bone-cartilage part (dissecate). In later stages (stages 3 and 4), fixation of the dissecate is often necessary with relining of fresh autologous bone from the iliac crest(spongiosaplasty). Dr. Krebs has been performing these procedures exclusively arthroscopically for many years. Depending on the findings, Ahlbäck's disease in older people may also require an axis correction, OATS plastic surgery or, in the case of very pronounced secondary wear, the implantation of a knee prosthesis.
