An OC lesion, or osteochondral lesion, is essentially a tear or fracture in the cartilage covering a bone within a joint. These lesions are most common in the knee and ankle, though they can occur in any joint.
Understanding Osteochondral Lesions
Osteochondral lesions (OCLs), also known as osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), involve damage to both the cartilage and the underlying bone in a joint. The cartilage, which is the smooth, protective tissue that covers the ends of bones, can become damaged in several ways.
Types of Damage
The damage to the cartilage in an OC lesion can manifest in different forms:
- Tears: The cartilage can tear away from the underlying bone.
- Crushing: The cartilage can be crushed, leading to structural damage.
- Damage: General damage to the cartilage, leading to degradation.
- Cyst Formation (Rare): In some rare instances, a cyst may form within the cartilage.
