Pathology
- Small segment of bone begins to separate from its surrounding region due to a lack of blood supply. As a result, the small piece of bone and the cartilage covering it begin to crack and loosen.
- May be the result of subchondral bone bruising, so may not show up immediately on imaging
- Most common joints affected are the knee, (75% = mostly MFC) elbow (6% = mostly capitellum) and ankle (5% = talar dome)
Symptoms
- Pain
- Swelling
- May have a haemarthrosis
- Reduced range of motion
- Clicking / catching / locking
- X-ray findings
- Bony loose body with defect at donor site
Management
- Usually the treatment is surgery