My son's knee hurts after football and the MRI shows OCD. What should we do now?

A common story

Parents often describe a vague ache on the inside of the knee after training or matches, sometimes with mild swelling, in a child who is otherwise very active. There is often no clear injury. An X-ray or MRI is then done and shows an area on the end of the thigh bone labelled osteochondritis dissecans or an osteochondral lesion. It is understandable to feel worried, but in many young patients this is a treatable problem, especially when found early.

What the surgeon will look for

• Whether the growth plates are open, which strongly favours healing without surgery
• The size and exact location of the lesion
• Whether the fragment is stable, or there is fluid behind it, a crack in the cartilage or a loose piece
• Symptoms such as locking, catching or repeated swelling
• Whether the other knee is affected, as OCD can occur on both sides

What you can do this week

• Stop football, running and jumping for now; walking for daily life is usually fine unless he is limping
• Let the school and coach know he needs a break from PE and training
• Use simple pain relief and ice if needed
• Collect the MRI images, X-rays and reports to bring to the appointment
• Seek urgent review if the knee locks and will not straighten

The consultation at Aman Hospital

Dr. Gelber examines the knee, reviews the imaging and may request specific X-ray views. He explains the findings in plain language to your son and to you, and discusses the options, whether that is a structured rest period with repeat scans or surgery to secure the fragment. Teenagers are encouraged to ask their own questions about sport and school.