摘要：In osteochondritis disekans, a poorly understood disorder of the femoral condyle ossification center, a portion of the joint surface softnes, shears, of separates through of the articular cartilage and underlying bone. This disorder is common, but not exclusive, in children age 8 -14 years; however, it is an infrequent problem in the adult. The disease appears to be caused by a combination of two factors: 1) mehanical shearing of injury from activity and 2) femoral condyle susceptibility (fragility) result ing from immature ossification of the femoral condyle. The importance of each factor depends on age. Athletic trauma seems more important in older children and adults, while in younger children, ossification defects render the femoral condyle more susceptible to minor repetitive injury. The diagnosis of juvenile osteochondritis of the knee can be elusive because of mild simptoms in many patiens presenting with this condition, physicans treating young athlets must be constantly aware of the prevalance of juvenile osteochondritis disecans in this group. Parents and coaches of these children must also acquire high awareness of the symptoms and signs. knee, sports, osteochondritis dissecans
