RARE DISEASE
Osteochondritis dissecans
Osteochondritis dissecans
Osteochondritis dissecans
Synonyms: König disease
Synonyms: König disease
Synonyms: König disease
Drug discovery
2
drugs
With orphan designations
Overview
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is an acquired idiopathic lesion of subchondral bone, causing cartilage instability or detachment, most commonly in the knee (66.2% of cases), followed by elbow and ankle joints [1][4][14]. It primarily affects adolescents (10-20 years), with symptoms including activity-related pain, swelling, locking, and restricted motion [6][7][16]. Diagnosis combines radiographs and MRI to assess lesion stability [16][17]. Stable lesions in skeletally immature patients often heal with rest, while unstable or refractory cases require surgical intervention [1][5][13]. Untreated OCD increases osteoarthritis risk [2][11][16].
Population
Burden
Annual incidence: 15-30/100,000; knee OCD prevalence 2.3-31.6/100,000 [4][14][19].
35% require surgery; 63% experience symptom recurrence post-microfracture at 10 years [13][18].
Economic impact: 6-month activity restriction reduces sports participation, while untreated cases accelerate osteoarthritis onset by 10-20 years [2][10][16].
Therapies
Conservative: Activity restriction (2-6 months), bracing, and physical therapy for stable lesions (50-67% success rate in juveniles) [1][13][18].
Surgical: Drilling (stable lesions), fixation with bioabsorbable screws (unstable lesions), or osteochondral grafts for detached fragments [5][13][16].
AAOS 2023 guidelines recommend early surgical consideration for salvageable unstable lesions in skeletally mature patients [5].
Categories: rare bone diseases, rare systemic and rheumatological diseases
Research Papers
1,558 drug discovery papers about Osteochondritis dissecans, with 2 first-in-class and 3 next-in-class emerging drug candidates forecasted to outperform the average preclinical success rate. Recent publications:
1,558 drug discovery papers about Osteochondritis dissecans, with 2 first-in-class and 3 next-in-class emerging drug candidates forecasted to outperform the average preclinical success rate. Recent publications:
categories:
Small molecules
small molecules
2025-08-28 | [Fixation of Osteochondral Lesions of the Knee Using MAGNEZIX Implants in Pediatric Patients: Midterm Clinical and MRI Results].
Fixation of osteochondral fragments is a relatively common procedure in pediatric orthopaedic surgery. This study analyzes clinical and MRI results of biodegradable MAGNEZIX® magnesium alloy implants used to fix osteochondral knee lesions in pediatric patients. 18 pediatric patients with unstable or displaced OCD lesions or osteochondral fractures were treated with MAGNEZIX® screws or pins. Clinical examinations were conducted at regular intervals, and the final clinical and MRI assessments were performed 24 months after surgery. The overall functional scores at 24 months were found to be good, with a VAS score of 1.22 points ± 1.83, Lysholm score of 87.61 points ± 11.31, and IKDC score of 76.94 points ± 10.85 for both groups. On MRI, 14 patients (77.78%) showed complete union, four patients (22.22%) showed incomplete union, and none of the patients experienced healing failure. Complete implant absorption was examined in eight patients (44.44%) on MRI. Most patients exhibited varying degrees of chondropathy, and one patient required reoperation due to screw breakage and migration. The use of MAGNEZIX® implants in the treatment of pediatric osteochondral fractures and OCD lesions has shown good clinical outcomes and favorable healing of osteochondral lesions. However, varying degrees of chondropathy have been observed in most cases.
2025-07-01 | PRP and hyaluronic acid reduce synovitis in horses after arthroscopic OCD removal in Andalusian horses.
This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular (IA) injections of a combination of platelet rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) on joint effusion following arthroscopic removal of OCD in the tarso-crural joint (TCJ) in young Andalusian horses. Forty Andalusian horses diagnosed with OCD of the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia (DIRT) were included in the study. Horses enrolled in this study had persisting synovial effusion after arthroscopic removal of OCD in the TCJ. A subjective semi-quantitative effusion score was adopted in the study to define the severity of synovial effusion in the affected joints. Twenty horses (Group 1) were treated with a series of 2 or 3 intra articular injections using the combination of PRP and HA accordingly to the clinical response, while no treatment other than arthroscopic OCD removal was performed in the second group of animals. The primary outcome of the study was the reduction of synovial effusion score in the TCJ affected by OCD 3 months post-operatively. Twenty-five joints were treated overall in each group. Statistically significant differences were found between pre-operative and 3 months post-operative synovial effusion scores within both Group 1 and Group 2 (p < 0.001). When comparing the difference between pre-operative synovial effusion and 3 months post-operative score across groups, results showed a trend towards statistical significance (p = 0.079). The 3 months post-operative effusion score were significantly different than pre-operative effusion score between groups 1 and 2 when horses with preoperative synovial effusion scored 4 were considered (p = 0.003). No complications related to the preparation process and intra-articular infiltration of the product were observed. Additional treatment with PRP and HA intraarticular provides evidence of reducing synovial effusion at 3 months post-operatively following arthroscopic removal of OCD.
2024-05-01 | The importance of bone health for pediatric athletes: From juvenile osteochondritis dissecans to relative energy deficiency in sports
Vitamin D is pivotal for bone health, muscle strength, recovery, and overall athletic performance. This article discusses the effects of Vitamin D deficiency among athletes, with a specific focus on its connection to sports-related conditions like Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) and Juvenile Osteochondritis Dissecans (JOCD). Additionally, we review the importance of vitamin D for muscle strength and muscle repair. Vitamin D deficiency exacerbates the risk of stress fractures in RED-S patients due to its impact on bone biology. Research points to an increased incidence of vitamin D deficiency in JOCD patients, indicating a potential connection between the condition and low Vitamin D levels. Children and athletes should be screened for vitamin D deficiency as supplementation has been found to have positive outcomes. This article underscores the pivotal role of Vitamin D in athletic performance. Further research is essential to elucidate how Vitamin D deficiency contributes to sports-related pathologies and to establish the optimal Vitamin D levels for injury prevention in athletes.
2024-01-23 | Effects of intra-articular administration of hyaluronic acid or platelet-rich plasma as a complementary treatment to arthroscopy in horses with osteochondritis dissecans.
Although arthroscopy is the treatment of choice for horses with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), it is not yet known whether intra-articular therapies in the postoperative period can bring any benefit to the recovery of these animals. This study evaluated the effects of the intra-articular application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), hyaluronic acid (HA) or lactated Ringer's solution (LR) in horses with OCD undergoing arthroscopy. Eighteen male and female Brazilian Sport horses aged between 2 and 6 years were evaluated. All animals presented OCD fragments in the middle crest of the tibia. Ten days after surgery, animals were randomly distributed into three groups and received intra-articular application of PRP (n = 6), HA (n = 6), or LR (control group, n = 6). Clinical, radiographic, ultrasound and synovial fluid evaluations were performed on the day of surgery and after 10, 30 and 60 days. An increase in the thickness of the joint capsule was observed 30 days after surgery in the three groups evaluated. In the control group, there was significant improvement in the flexion test 30 and 60 days after surgery, and in the PRP group, there was worsening of this parameter in the same evaluations. In the control group, there was a reduction in the degree of synovial effusion, and in the PRP and HA groups, there was increased effusion. There was a significant increase in the number of leukocytes in the HA group. Intra-articular use of PRP or HA ten days after arthroscopy did not promote positive effects on the recovery of horses with OCD.
2023-04-20 | Hyalofast Cartilage Repair Surgery with a Full Load-Bearing Rehabilitation Program One Day after Operation Reduces the Time for Professional Athletes to Return to Play
Background and Objectives: This study evaluated the effectiveness of Hyalofast cartilage repair surgery with an early, full load-bearing rehabilitation program one day after the operation for reducing the time needed for professional athletes to return to play. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 49 patients aged between 19 and 38 years who had undergone surgical reconstruction of cartilage using the microfracture technique combined with a Hyalofast scaffold. All patients were active professional athletes. Early rehabilitation was implemented from the first postoperative day, fully loading the operated limb. A clinical evaluation was based on the KOOS and SF-36 questionnaires used during subsequent follow-up visits. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate the effect of the surgery after one year. Results: The clinical results demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the number of complaints about pain and in the quality of life of the patients, measured in all of the applied scales, with comparisons made between six months or one year post-surgery and pre-surgery. Importantly for athletes, the parameter related to sports and recreation improved from 14 ± 11.1 to 95 ± 7.7 6 months after surgery and to 99.8 ± 1.8 one year after surgery. The overall quality of life score improved from 30 ± 18 to 88 ± 8.8 one year after surgery. Conclusions: These results show that this approach significantly shortened the time needed for the athletes to return to sports at the same level as before the surgery (athletes returned to sports in approximately 2.5–3 months). The mean follow-up time was 19.75 months. This technique can be considered a viable option for the treatment of cartilage injuries in professional athletes, allowing them to return to play more quickly in a safe and healthy way.
cell therapies
2026-08-15 | Arthroscopic Technique for Autologous Minced Cartilage Implantation for Focal Lesions of the Capitellum Humeri of the Elbow: A Technical Note.
Focal cartilage defects of the capitellum humeri are frequently underestimated, despite their substantial contribution to elbow pain and functional impairment in young and physically active patients. Arthroscopic autologous minced cartilage implantation is a single-stage biological cartilage repair technique that has shown favorable clinical and imaging outcomes in larger joints. Osteochondral lesions of the capitellum humeri of the elbow, particularly in the setting of osteochondritis dissecans, represent a challenging condition in young and physically active patients. However, detailed descriptions of the arthroscopic surgical technique and its application in the elbow joint remain limited. Therefore, the purpose of this Technical Note is to describe a step-by-step arthroscopic technique for autologous minced cartilage implantation in focal osteochondral lesions of the capitellum humeri. Indications, surgical pearls and pitfalls, and postoperative care are outlined, and the potential advantages of this technique in the treatment of elbow cartilage lesions are discussed.
2026-07-01 | Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation in osteochondral defects of the capitulum: clinical and radiological outcome in a case series
Background Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum is a cartilage and subchondral bone disorder predominantly affecting young, physically active individuals. While established surgical techniques such as microfracturing and osteochondral autograft transfer (OAT) offer acceptable outcomes, limitations in cartilage quality or procedural invasiveness remain. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has been proposed as a less invasive, biologically restorative alternative, though clinical data on its use in the elbow are not available. Therefore, the aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of ACI for the treatment of elbow OCD in a case series. Methods In this prospective observational study, six male patients (20.5 ± 5.2 years) with centralized ICRS grade IV OCD lesions of the capitellum were included and treated with ACI. Clinical evaluations were performed at 6 months (T1), 12 months (T2), and 34.8 ± 7.9 months (T3) postoperatively, including assessment of range of motion (ROM), subjective elbow value (SEV), visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) score, and return to sport (RTS). MRI was conducted at T2 and T3, and cartilage repair tissue was analyzed using the MOCART 2.0 Ankle Score. Results Improvements were observed across all clinical outcome measures. SEV increased from 59 ± 18.5% preoperatively to 91.2 ± 4.2% at final follow-up, while VAS under load decreased from 6.5 ± 1.6 to 0.8 ± 0.7. MEPS and KJOC improved from 70.6 ± 17.7 to 97.5 ± 6 and from 38.3 ± 10 to 88.5 ± 8.4, respectively. MRI demonstrated defect filling and integration in all individuals, as assessed by the MOCART Score, which showed no deterioration between T2 and T3. Mean RTS time was 6.8 ± 3 months. No complications or need for revision surgery were recorded. Conclusion This pilot feasibility study provides preliminary insights into the treatment of centralized capitellar OCD lesions in a case series of young, active patients, with clinical and radiological findings at a mean 3-year follow-up (range, 25–42 months). These exploratory findings suggest that ACI may warrant further investigation for focal, symptomatic elbow defects with minimal or limited involvement of the subchondral bone. Larger controlled studies are needed to define the role of ACI relative to established treatment options.
2026-05-30 | Return to Sport After Surgical Treatment of Capitellar Osteochondritis Dissecans Lesions in Baseball Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Because of the difficulty of baseball players with capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions to return to sport (RTS), multiple operative strategies have been used for these lesions. However, there has yet to be a systematic review of RTS outcomes in specifically baseball players. The purpose of this study was to compare the RTS rates between surgical procedures for capitellar OCD lesions in youth baseball players, with a secondary purpose of comparing improvements in elbow range of motion (ROM) and improvements in Timmerman-Andrews scores between surgical procedures. The authors hypothesized that RTS rates would not differ based on the surgical procedure for capitellar OCD lesions in youth baseball players. Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. The authors performed a literature search in February 2025 to identify studies evaluating postoperative outcomes for the treatment of capitellar OCD lesions in youth baseball players. Surgical procedures were grouped into debridement/loose-body removal ± microfracture, fixation procedures, bone peg grafting, and autologous osteochondral transplantation. Preoperative and postoperative elbow flexion and extension ROM, Timmerman-Andrews scores, and RTS rate and time were collected. Meta-analysis included pooled effect estimates for improvements in flexion ROM, extension ROM, and Timmerman-Andrews scores, as well as the proportion of RTS, applying a common effect model. Overall, 462 studies were screened and 16 studies were included. There were 389 total youth baseball players and 89% of lesions were unstable. RTS after autologous osteochondral transplantation (175/182; 96%) was more likely than after fixation (68/76; 89%), bone peg grafting (27/31; 87%), or debridement/loose-body removal ± microfracture (59/70; 84%) (P = .022). Overall, 31 of 60 (52%) pitchers were able to return to pitching. Fixation procedures were associated with greater improvements in elbow extension ROM (8° vs 3°; P = .013) than autologous osteochondral transplantation. Fixation procedures (score, 71) and autologous osteochondral transplantation (score, 58) also had greater improvements in Timmerman-Andrews scores than bone peg grafting (score, 26; P < .001); however, there was significant heterogeneity across studies and large differences in preoperative Timmerman-Andrews scores across groups. Overall, 92% of youth baseball players RTS after operative management of capitellar OCD lesions, with the highest RTS rates after autologous osteochondral transplantation; however, almost half of pitchers are unable to return to pitching. Clinicians can counsel injured youth baseball players that capitellar OCD lesions indicated for autologous osteochondral transplantation can have similar or better RTS outcomes than OCD lesions indicated for fixation or debridement ± microfracture.
2026-05-15 | Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum in the Young Athlete.
Osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum is an uncommon but notable cause of elbow pain in the young athlete. Although the exact pathogenesis of this condition is not completely understood, repetitive microtrauma, such as in throwing athletes or gymnasts, can predispose these groups to developing osteochondral lesions. Patients may present with laterally based elbow pain, swelling, or loss of range of motion. Initial screening radiographs can often detect these lesions, with MRI key to determining the exact lesion size, location, and stability. Treatment depends on multiple factors and may include a period of rest, particularly in stable lesions. Surgery is more often recommended in patients with unstable lesions or loose bodies or those who have persistent lesions despite a course of nonsurgical management. Historically, isolated osteochondritis dissecans removal and débridement yielded suboptimal results in the medium to long term, especially in larger and more laterally based lesions. Osteochondral autograft or allograft transplantation allows for more anatomic restoration of capitellar anatomy and has become the preferred treatment for larger, unstable defects with promising outcomes and return to activity.
2026-05-06 | Osteochondral autograft transfer for capitellar osteochondritis dissecans in high-level adolescent athletes.
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum is a condition that predominantly affects high-performing adolescent athletes engaged in repetitive overhead motion and can lead to pain and mechanical symptoms that can interfere with the ability to perform in sports. Optimal surgical management of large OCD lesions remains inadequately studied. Prior studies have shown good short-term outcomes with the use of osteochondral autograft transfer (OAT). This study's primary objective is to evaluate the long-term outcomes of adolescent athletes undergoing OAT procedures for capitellar OCD. We retrospectively identified 28 patients with large (≥1 cm2) unstable capitellar OCD lesions who underwent OATs from the ipsilateral knee. The average age at the time of surgery was 14.95 years (range, 11-22 years). Time to return to play, post-operative and final level of play, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Sport-Specific DASH questionnaires, pre-operative and post-operative elbow range of motion, post-operative elbow Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score, and radiographic outcomes were collected and analyzed. Twenty patients were available for evaluation at an average of 62.4 months of follow-up (range 6 to 164.5 months). Chart review was conducted for the remaining patients. The average return to play timeline was 6.28 months (range, 3-13 months). The return to sport rate was 95%. Eighty percent of pitchers returned to pitching, all throwing by an average of 4 months. The average overall DASH score was 3.79 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.83-5.75), and the average Sport Specific DASH score was 7.11 (95% CI: 0.45-14.78). Elbow range of motion significantly improved, with improvement in flexion from a pre-operative average of 130.3° to 140.9° post-operatively (P < .001) and improvement in extension from a pre-operative average of 16.1° to 2.3° post-operatively (P < .001). Average post-operative elbow Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores collected from 12/20 patients were 85.8 (range, 60-100). Osseous integration of the graft site was complete in 24 of the patients by the 12-week post-operative visit. Treatment of large, unstable OCD lesions of the capitellum in adolescent athletes is safe, allows for a high rate of return to sport, and has good clinical outcomes with long-term follow-up.
proteins
2026-04-12 | Influence of repetitive batting on capitellar subchondral bone density distribution.
Osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum occurs in adolescent baseball players, with repetitive throwing recognized as a major risk factor. Whether repetitive batting contributes to cumulative capitellar loading remains unclear. We hypothesized that repetitive batting would increase cumulative mechanical loading on the humeral capitellum, as assessed with computed tomography (CT) osteoabsorptiometry. In this cross-sectional study, 32 healthy male collegiate baseball players (64 elbows), all right-handed throwers, underwent bilateral elbow CT during the off-season. Based on batting handedness and throwing side, elbows were categorized into 4 groups (throwing and batting group [T&B]; contralateral; throwing group [T]; batting group [B]). Capitellar subchondral bone density was analyzed with CT osteoabsorptiometry. Mean Hounsfield unit (HU) values and percentage of high-density area (%HDA, top one-third of HU values) were compared between groups. Throwing elbows showed higher mean HU and %HDA than nonthrowing elbows. The T&B group had greater values than the contralateral group (mean HU, 935 ± 153 vs. 913 ± 88.9, P = .046; %HDA, 32.6 ± 14.8 vs. 25.0 ± 15.5, P = .049). Similarly, the T group had greater values than the B group (mean HU, 962 ± 101 vs. 884 ± 142, P = .044; %HDA, 31.8 ± 14.5 vs. 26.4 ± 12.5, P = .042). Batting handedness was not associated with side-specific difference (T&B vs. T and contralateral vs. B). Throwing exposure was associated with greater capitellar subchondral bone density, whereas no clear batting-related side-specific difference was detected in collegiate players.
2024-08-28 | Cell Proliferation, Chondrogenic Differentiation, and Cartilaginous Tissue Formation in Recombinant Silk Fibroin with Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Binding Peptide.
Regeneration of articular cartilage remains a challenge for patients who have undergone cartilage injury, osteochondritis dissecans and osteoarthritis. Here, we describe a new recombinant silk fibroin with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) binding peptide, which has a genetically introduced sequence PLLQATLGGGS, named P7. In this study, we cultured a human mesenchymal cell line derived from bone marrow, UE6E7-16, in wild-type fibroin sponge (FS) and recombinant silk fibroin sponge with P7 peptide (P7 FS). We compared cell proliferation, chondrogenic differentiation and cartilaginous tissue formation between the two types of sponge. After stimulation with bFGF at 3 ng/mL, P7 FS showed significantly higher cell growth (1.2-fold) and higher cellular DNA content (5.6-fold) than did wild-type FS. To promote chondrogenic differentiation, cells were cultured in the presence of TGF-β at 10 ng/mL for 28 days. Immunostaining of P7 FS showed SOX9-positive cells comparable to wild-type FS. Alcian-Blue staining of P7 FS also showed cartilaginous tissue formation equivalent to wild-type FS. A significant increase in cell proliferation in P7 FS implies future clinical application of this transgenic fibroin for regeneration of articular cartilage. To produce cartilaginous tissue efficiently, transgenic fibroin sponges and culture conditions must be improved. Such changes should include the selection of growth factors involved in chondrogenic differentiation and cartilage formation.
2023-07-31 | Posterior subtotal meniscectomy revealed the worst scenario for the progression of osteocartilaginous damage in cases of juvenile discoid lateral meniscus with peripheral tear.
We compared subtotal meniscectomy and saucerization with stabilization for osteocartilaginous damage based on injured location and further examined the factors related to osteocartilaginous damage in juvenile discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) with peripheral tear after a follow-up period of at least 5 years. We retrospectively reviewed juvenile DLM patients with peripheral tear who underwent arthroscopic surgery with more than 5 years of follow-up. Osteocartilaginous damage, which was identified by osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) development and the whole-organ magnetic resonance imaging score (WORMS) of cartilage grade ≥ 3, was compared between subtotal meniscectomy and saucerization with stabilization. A subgroup analysis examining the location of the tear site was performed. Factors for osteocartilaginous damage were analyzed between the damaged and non-damaged groups. Forty-one patients, including 29 who underwent saucerization with stabilization and 12 who underwent subtotal meniscectomy, were included in this study. Seven patients developed OCD lesions; six patients showed cartilage WORMS of more than grade 3. Overall, there was a significant difference in the total cartilage and meniscus WORMS between the two groups at the final follow-up. The subgroup analysis demonstrated more severe osteocartilaginous damage developed in posterior subtotal meniscectomy than in posterior stabilization following saucerization. The damaged group showed significant difference compared to the non-damaged group in terms of age (p = 0.003), sex (p = 0.036), and posterior subtotal meniscectomy (p < 0.001). Posterior subtotal meniscectomy revealed the worst scenario for the progression of osteocartilaginous damage in cases of juvenile DLM with peripheral tear over a minimum follow-up period of 5 years.
2021-03-24 | The Link between Aggrecan and Familial Osteochondritis Dissecans
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a chronic disease of the articular cartilage characterized by focal lesions of subchondral bone and overlaying cartilage. Through the growing number of reports describing the high prevalence of OCD in some families, the subcategory termed familial OCD (FOCD) was established. With the development of genetic approaches such as genome-wide association studies and sequencing, aggrecan (ACAN) has been identified as one of the genes of interest associated with FOCD. Aggrecan is a crucial protein for the preservation and function of cartilage. However, due to FOCD being characterized relatively recently, there is a paucity of literature on the subject. The purpose of this review is to explore the relationship between ACAN mutations and familial OCD as well as to explore current treatment options and avenues for future research. In vitro and animal studies have shown the importance of ACAN in the preservation of cartilage. However, the only human ACAN mutation related to OCD ever identified is a V2303M mutation in the G3 domain. Multiple treatments have been superficially explored, and some options such as growth hormone (GH) and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) show potential. Thus, further research on FOCD in needed to identify other ACAN mutations and determine optimal treatment modalities for this patient population.
2019-06-03 | Comparison of the effect of growth factors on chondrogenesis of canine mesenchymal stem cells
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are proposed to be useful in cartilage regenerative medicine, however, canine MSCs have been reported to show poor chondrogenic capacity. Therefore, optimal conditions for chondrogenic differentiation should be determined by mimicking the developmental process. We have previously established novel and superior canine MSCs named bone marrow peri-adipocyte cells (BM-PACs) and the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of growth factors required for in vivo chondrogenesis using canine BM-PACs. Spheroids of BM-PACs were cultured in chondrogenic medium containing 10 ng/ml transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) with or without 100 ng/ml bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), 100 ng/ml growth differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5) or 100 ng/ml insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Chondrogenic differentiation was evaluated by the quantification of glycosaminoglycan and Safranin O staining for proteoglycan production. The expression of cartilage matrix or hypertrophic gene/protein was also evaluated by qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Spheroids in all groups were strongly stained with Safranin O. Although BMP-2 significantly increased glycosaminoglycan production, Safranin O-negative outer layer was formed and the mRNA expression of COL10 relating to cartilage hypertrophy was also significantly upregulated (P<0.05). GDF-5 promoted the production of glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen without increasing COL10 mRNA expression. The supplementation of IGF-1 did not significantly affect cartilaginous and hypertrophic differentiation. Our results indicate that GDF-5 is a useful growth factor for the generation of articular cartilage from canine MSCs.
small molecules
2025-08-28 | [Fixation of Osteochondral Lesions of the Knee Using MAGNEZIX Implants in Pediatric Patients: Midterm Clinical and MRI Results].
Fixation of osteochondral fragments is a relatively common procedure in pediatric orthopaedic surgery. This study analyzes clinical and MRI results of biodegradable MAGNEZIX® magnesium alloy implants used to fix osteochondral knee lesions in pediatric patients. 18 pediatric patients with unstable or displaced OCD lesions or osteochondral fractures were treated with MAGNEZIX® screws or pins. Clinical examinations were conducted at regular intervals, and the final clinical and MRI assessments were performed 24 months after surgery. The overall functional scores at 24 months were found to be good, with a VAS score of 1.22 points ± 1.83, Lysholm score of 87.61 points ± 11.31, and IKDC score of 76.94 points ± 10.85 for both groups. On MRI, 14 patients (77.78%) showed complete union, four patients (22.22%) showed incomplete union, and none of the patients experienced healing failure. Complete implant absorption was examined in eight patients (44.44%) on MRI. Most patients exhibited varying degrees of chondropathy, and one patient required reoperation due to screw breakage and migration. The use of MAGNEZIX® implants in the treatment of pediatric osteochondral fractures and OCD lesions has shown good clinical outcomes and favorable healing of osteochondral lesions. However, varying degrees of chondropathy have been observed in most cases.
2025-07-01 | PRP and hyaluronic acid reduce synovitis in horses after arthroscopic OCD removal in Andalusian horses.
This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular (IA) injections of a combination of platelet rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) on joint effusion following arthroscopic removal of OCD in the tarso-crural joint (TCJ) in young Andalusian horses. Forty Andalusian horses diagnosed with OCD of the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia (DIRT) were included in the study. Horses enrolled in this study had persisting synovial effusion after arthroscopic removal of OCD in the TCJ. A subjective semi-quantitative effusion score was adopted in the study to define the severity of synovial effusion in the affected joints. Twenty horses (Group 1) were treated with a series of 2 or 3 intra articular injections using the combination of PRP and HA accordingly to the clinical response, while no treatment other than arthroscopic OCD removal was performed in the second group of animals. The primary outcome of the study was the reduction of synovial effusion score in the TCJ affected by OCD 3 months post-operatively. Twenty-five joints were treated overall in each group. Statistically significant differences were found between pre-operative and 3 months post-operative synovial effusion scores within both Group 1 and Group 2 (p < 0.001). When comparing the difference between pre-operative synovial effusion and 3 months post-operative score across groups, results showed a trend towards statistical significance (p = 0.079). The 3 months post-operative effusion score were significantly different than pre-operative effusion score between groups 1 and 2 when horses with preoperative synovial effusion scored 4 were considered (p = 0.003). No complications related to the preparation process and intra-articular infiltration of the product were observed. Additional treatment with PRP and HA intraarticular provides evidence of reducing synovial effusion at 3 months post-operatively following arthroscopic removal of OCD.
2024-05-01 | The importance of bone health for pediatric athletes: From juvenile osteochondritis dissecans to relative energy deficiency in sports
Vitamin D is pivotal for bone health, muscle strength, recovery, and overall athletic performance. This article discusses the effects of Vitamin D deficiency among athletes, with a specific focus on its connection to sports-related conditions like Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) and Juvenile Osteochondritis Dissecans (JOCD). Additionally, we review the importance of vitamin D for muscle strength and muscle repair. Vitamin D deficiency exacerbates the risk of stress fractures in RED-S patients due to its impact on bone biology. Research points to an increased incidence of vitamin D deficiency in JOCD patients, indicating a potential connection between the condition and low Vitamin D levels. Children and athletes should be screened for vitamin D deficiency as supplementation has been found to have positive outcomes. This article underscores the pivotal role of Vitamin D in athletic performance. Further research is essential to elucidate how Vitamin D deficiency contributes to sports-related pathologies and to establish the optimal Vitamin D levels for injury prevention in athletes.
2024-01-23 | Effects of intra-articular administration of hyaluronic acid or platelet-rich plasma as a complementary treatment to arthroscopy in horses with osteochondritis dissecans.
Although arthroscopy is the treatment of choice for horses with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), it is not yet known whether intra-articular therapies in the postoperative period can bring any benefit to the recovery of these animals. This study evaluated the effects of the intra-articular application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), hyaluronic acid (HA) or lactated Ringer's solution (LR) in horses with OCD undergoing arthroscopy. Eighteen male and female Brazilian Sport horses aged between 2 and 6 years were evaluated. All animals presented OCD fragments in the middle crest of the tibia. Ten days after surgery, animals were randomly distributed into three groups and received intra-articular application of PRP (n = 6), HA (n = 6), or LR (control group, n = 6). Clinical, radiographic, ultrasound and synovial fluid evaluations were performed on the day of surgery and after 10, 30 and 60 days. An increase in the thickness of the joint capsule was observed 30 days after surgery in the three groups evaluated. In the control group, there was significant improvement in the flexion test 30 and 60 days after surgery, and in the PRP group, there was worsening of this parameter in the same evaluations. In the control group, there was a reduction in the degree of synovial effusion, and in the PRP and HA groups, there was increased effusion. There was a significant increase in the number of leukocytes in the HA group. Intra-articular use of PRP or HA ten days after arthroscopy did not promote positive effects on the recovery of horses with OCD.
2023-04-20 | Hyalofast Cartilage Repair Surgery with a Full Load-Bearing Rehabilitation Program One Day after Operation Reduces the Time for Professional Athletes to Return to Play
Background and Objectives: This study evaluated the effectiveness of Hyalofast cartilage repair surgery with an early, full load-bearing rehabilitation program one day after the operation for reducing the time needed for professional athletes to return to play. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 49 patients aged between 19 and 38 years who had undergone surgical reconstruction of cartilage using the microfracture technique combined with a Hyalofast scaffold. All patients were active professional athletes. Early rehabilitation was implemented from the first postoperative day, fully loading the operated limb. A clinical evaluation was based on the KOOS and SF-36 questionnaires used during subsequent follow-up visits. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate the effect of the surgery after one year. Results: The clinical results demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the number of complaints about pain and in the quality of life of the patients, measured in all of the applied scales, with comparisons made between six months or one year post-surgery and pre-surgery. Importantly for athletes, the parameter related to sports and recreation improved from 14 ± 11.1 to 95 ± 7.7 6 months after surgery and to 99.8 ± 1.8 one year after surgery. The overall quality of life score improved from 30 ± 18 to 88 ± 8.8 one year after surgery. Conclusions: These results show that this approach significantly shortened the time needed for the athletes to return to sports at the same level as before the surgery (athletes returned to sports in approximately 2.5–3 months). The mean follow-up time was 19.75 months. This technique can be considered a viable option for the treatment of cartilage injuries in professional athletes, allowing them to return to play more quickly in a safe and healthy way.
cell therapies
2026-08-15 | Arthroscopic Technique for Autologous Minced Cartilage Implantation for Focal Lesions of the Capitellum Humeri of the Elbow: A Technical Note.
Focal cartilage defects of the capitellum humeri are frequently underestimated, despite their substantial contribution to elbow pain and functional impairment in young and physically active patients. Arthroscopic autologous minced cartilage implantation is a single-stage biological cartilage repair technique that has shown favorable clinical and imaging outcomes in larger joints. Osteochondral lesions of the capitellum humeri of the elbow, particularly in the setting of osteochondritis dissecans, represent a challenging condition in young and physically active patients. However, detailed descriptions of the arthroscopic surgical technique and its application in the elbow joint remain limited. Therefore, the purpose of this Technical Note is to describe a step-by-step arthroscopic technique for autologous minced cartilage implantation in focal osteochondral lesions of the capitellum humeri. Indications, surgical pearls and pitfalls, and postoperative care are outlined, and the potential advantages of this technique in the treatment of elbow cartilage lesions are discussed.
2026-07-01 | Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation in osteochondral defects of the capitulum: clinical and radiological outcome in a case series
Background Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum is a cartilage and subchondral bone disorder predominantly affecting young, physically active individuals. While established surgical techniques such as microfracturing and osteochondral autograft transfer (OAT) offer acceptable outcomes, limitations in cartilage quality or procedural invasiveness remain. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has been proposed as a less invasive, biologically restorative alternative, though clinical data on its use in the elbow are not available. Therefore, the aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of ACI for the treatment of elbow OCD in a case series. Methods In this prospective observational study, six male patients (20.5 ± 5.2 years) with centralized ICRS grade IV OCD lesions of the capitellum were included and treated with ACI. Clinical evaluations were performed at 6 months (T1), 12 months (T2), and 34.8 ± 7.9 months (T3) postoperatively, including assessment of range of motion (ROM), subjective elbow value (SEV), visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) score, and return to sport (RTS). MRI was conducted at T2 and T3, and cartilage repair tissue was analyzed using the MOCART 2.0 Ankle Score. Results Improvements were observed across all clinical outcome measures. SEV increased from 59 ± 18.5% preoperatively to 91.2 ± 4.2% at final follow-up, while VAS under load decreased from 6.5 ± 1.6 to 0.8 ± 0.7. MEPS and KJOC improved from 70.6 ± 17.7 to 97.5 ± 6 and from 38.3 ± 10 to 88.5 ± 8.4, respectively. MRI demonstrated defect filling and integration in all individuals, as assessed by the MOCART Score, which showed no deterioration between T2 and T3. Mean RTS time was 6.8 ± 3 months. No complications or need for revision surgery were recorded. Conclusion This pilot feasibility study provides preliminary insights into the treatment of centralized capitellar OCD lesions in a case series of young, active patients, with clinical and radiological findings at a mean 3-year follow-up (range, 25–42 months). These exploratory findings suggest that ACI may warrant further investigation for focal, symptomatic elbow defects with minimal or limited involvement of the subchondral bone. Larger controlled studies are needed to define the role of ACI relative to established treatment options.
2026-05-30 | Return to Sport After Surgical Treatment of Capitellar Osteochondritis Dissecans Lesions in Baseball Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Because of the difficulty of baseball players with capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions to return to sport (RTS), multiple operative strategies have been used for these lesions. However, there has yet to be a systematic review of RTS outcomes in specifically baseball players. The purpose of this study was to compare the RTS rates between surgical procedures for capitellar OCD lesions in youth baseball players, with a secondary purpose of comparing improvements in elbow range of motion (ROM) and improvements in Timmerman-Andrews scores between surgical procedures. The authors hypothesized that RTS rates would not differ based on the surgical procedure for capitellar OCD lesions in youth baseball players. Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. The authors performed a literature search in February 2025 to identify studies evaluating postoperative outcomes for the treatment of capitellar OCD lesions in youth baseball players. Surgical procedures were grouped into debridement/loose-body removal ± microfracture, fixation procedures, bone peg grafting, and autologous osteochondral transplantation. Preoperative and postoperative elbow flexion and extension ROM, Timmerman-Andrews scores, and RTS rate and time were collected. Meta-analysis included pooled effect estimates for improvements in flexion ROM, extension ROM, and Timmerman-Andrews scores, as well as the proportion of RTS, applying a common effect model. Overall, 462 studies were screened and 16 studies were included. There were 389 total youth baseball players and 89% of lesions were unstable. RTS after autologous osteochondral transplantation (175/182; 96%) was more likely than after fixation (68/76; 89%), bone peg grafting (27/31; 87%), or debridement/loose-body removal ± microfracture (59/70; 84%) (P = .022). Overall, 31 of 60 (52%) pitchers were able to return to pitching. Fixation procedures were associated with greater improvements in elbow extension ROM (8° vs 3°; P = .013) than autologous osteochondral transplantation. Fixation procedures (score, 71) and autologous osteochondral transplantation (score, 58) also had greater improvements in Timmerman-Andrews scores than bone peg grafting (score, 26; P < .001); however, there was significant heterogeneity across studies and large differences in preoperative Timmerman-Andrews scores across groups. Overall, 92% of youth baseball players RTS after operative management of capitellar OCD lesions, with the highest RTS rates after autologous osteochondral transplantation; however, almost half of pitchers are unable to return to pitching. Clinicians can counsel injured youth baseball players that capitellar OCD lesions indicated for autologous osteochondral transplantation can have similar or better RTS outcomes than OCD lesions indicated for fixation or debridement ± microfracture.
2026-05-15 | Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum in the Young Athlete.
Osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum is an uncommon but notable cause of elbow pain in the young athlete. Although the exact pathogenesis of this condition is not completely understood, repetitive microtrauma, such as in throwing athletes or gymnasts, can predispose these groups to developing osteochondral lesions. Patients may present with laterally based elbow pain, swelling, or loss of range of motion. Initial screening radiographs can often detect these lesions, with MRI key to determining the exact lesion size, location, and stability. Treatment depends on multiple factors and may include a period of rest, particularly in stable lesions. Surgery is more often recommended in patients with unstable lesions or loose bodies or those who have persistent lesions despite a course of nonsurgical management. Historically, isolated osteochondritis dissecans removal and débridement yielded suboptimal results in the medium to long term, especially in larger and more laterally based lesions. Osteochondral autograft or allograft transplantation allows for more anatomic restoration of capitellar anatomy and has become the preferred treatment for larger, unstable defects with promising outcomes and return to activity.
2026-05-06 | Osteochondral autograft transfer for capitellar osteochondritis dissecans in high-level adolescent athletes.
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum is a condition that predominantly affects high-performing adolescent athletes engaged in repetitive overhead motion and can lead to pain and mechanical symptoms that can interfere with the ability to perform in sports. Optimal surgical management of large OCD lesions remains inadequately studied. Prior studies have shown good short-term outcomes with the use of osteochondral autograft transfer (OAT). This study's primary objective is to evaluate the long-term outcomes of adolescent athletes undergoing OAT procedures for capitellar OCD. We retrospectively identified 28 patients with large (≥1 cm2) unstable capitellar OCD lesions who underwent OATs from the ipsilateral knee. The average age at the time of surgery was 14.95 years (range, 11-22 years). Time to return to play, post-operative and final level of play, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Sport-Specific DASH questionnaires, pre-operative and post-operative elbow range of motion, post-operative elbow Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score, and radiographic outcomes were collected and analyzed. Twenty patients were available for evaluation at an average of 62.4 months of follow-up (range 6 to 164.5 months). Chart review was conducted for the remaining patients. The average return to play timeline was 6.28 months (range, 3-13 months). The return to sport rate was 95%. Eighty percent of pitchers returned to pitching, all throwing by an average of 4 months. The average overall DASH score was 3.79 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.83-5.75), and the average Sport Specific DASH score was 7.11 (95% CI: 0.45-14.78). Elbow range of motion significantly improved, with improvement in flexion from a pre-operative average of 130.3° to 140.9° post-operatively (P < .001) and improvement in extension from a pre-operative average of 16.1° to 2.3° post-operatively (P < .001). Average post-operative elbow Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores collected from 12/20 patients were 85.8 (range, 60-100). Osseous integration of the graft site was complete in 24 of the patients by the 12-week post-operative visit. Treatment of large, unstable OCD lesions of the capitellum in adolescent athletes is safe, allows for a high rate of return to sport, and has good clinical outcomes with long-term follow-up.
proteins
2026-04-12 | Influence of repetitive batting on capitellar subchondral bone density distribution.
Osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum occurs in adolescent baseball players, with repetitive throwing recognized as a major risk factor. Whether repetitive batting contributes to cumulative capitellar loading remains unclear. We hypothesized that repetitive batting would increase cumulative mechanical loading on the humeral capitellum, as assessed with computed tomography (CT) osteoabsorptiometry. In this cross-sectional study, 32 healthy male collegiate baseball players (64 elbows), all right-handed throwers, underwent bilateral elbow CT during the off-season. Based on batting handedness and throwing side, elbows were categorized into 4 groups (throwing and batting group [T&B]; contralateral; throwing group [T]; batting group [B]). Capitellar subchondral bone density was analyzed with CT osteoabsorptiometry. Mean Hounsfield unit (HU) values and percentage of high-density area (%HDA, top one-third of HU values) were compared between groups. Throwing elbows showed higher mean HU and %HDA than nonthrowing elbows. The T&B group had greater values than the contralateral group (mean HU, 935 ± 153 vs. 913 ± 88.9, P = .046; %HDA, 32.6 ± 14.8 vs. 25.0 ± 15.5, P = .049). Similarly, the T group had greater values than the B group (mean HU, 962 ± 101 vs. 884 ± 142, P = .044; %HDA, 31.8 ± 14.5 vs. 26.4 ± 12.5, P = .042). Batting handedness was not associated with side-specific difference (T&B vs. T and contralateral vs. B). Throwing exposure was associated with greater capitellar subchondral bone density, whereas no clear batting-related side-specific difference was detected in collegiate players.
2024-08-28 | Cell Proliferation, Chondrogenic Differentiation, and Cartilaginous Tissue Formation in Recombinant Silk Fibroin with Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Binding Peptide.
Regeneration of articular cartilage remains a challenge for patients who have undergone cartilage injury, osteochondritis dissecans and osteoarthritis. Here, we describe a new recombinant silk fibroin with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) binding peptide, which has a genetically introduced sequence PLLQATLGGGS, named P7. In this study, we cultured a human mesenchymal cell line derived from bone marrow, UE6E7-16, in wild-type fibroin sponge (FS) and recombinant silk fibroin sponge with P7 peptide (P7 FS). We compared cell proliferation, chondrogenic differentiation and cartilaginous tissue formation between the two types of sponge. After stimulation with bFGF at 3 ng/mL, P7 FS showed significantly higher cell growth (1.2-fold) and higher cellular DNA content (5.6-fold) than did wild-type FS. To promote chondrogenic differentiation, cells were cultured in the presence of TGF-β at 10 ng/mL for 28 days. Immunostaining of P7 FS showed SOX9-positive cells comparable to wild-type FS. Alcian-Blue staining of P7 FS also showed cartilaginous tissue formation equivalent to wild-type FS. A significant increase in cell proliferation in P7 FS implies future clinical application of this transgenic fibroin for regeneration of articular cartilage. To produce cartilaginous tissue efficiently, transgenic fibroin sponges and culture conditions must be improved. Such changes should include the selection of growth factors involved in chondrogenic differentiation and cartilage formation.
2023-07-31 | Posterior subtotal meniscectomy revealed the worst scenario for the progression of osteocartilaginous damage in cases of juvenile discoid lateral meniscus with peripheral tear.
We compared subtotal meniscectomy and saucerization with stabilization for osteocartilaginous damage based on injured location and further examined the factors related to osteocartilaginous damage in juvenile discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) with peripheral tear after a follow-up period of at least 5 years. We retrospectively reviewed juvenile DLM patients with peripheral tear who underwent arthroscopic surgery with more than 5 years of follow-up. Osteocartilaginous damage, which was identified by osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) development and the whole-organ magnetic resonance imaging score (WORMS) of cartilage grade ≥ 3, was compared between subtotal meniscectomy and saucerization with stabilization. A subgroup analysis examining the location of the tear site was performed. Factors for osteocartilaginous damage were analyzed between the damaged and non-damaged groups. Forty-one patients, including 29 who underwent saucerization with stabilization and 12 who underwent subtotal meniscectomy, were included in this study. Seven patients developed OCD lesions; six patients showed cartilage WORMS of more than grade 3. Overall, there was a significant difference in the total cartilage and meniscus WORMS between the two groups at the final follow-up. The subgroup analysis demonstrated more severe osteocartilaginous damage developed in posterior subtotal meniscectomy than in posterior stabilization following saucerization. The damaged group showed significant difference compared to the non-damaged group in terms of age (p = 0.003), sex (p = 0.036), and posterior subtotal meniscectomy (p < 0.001). Posterior subtotal meniscectomy revealed the worst scenario for the progression of osteocartilaginous damage in cases of juvenile DLM with peripheral tear over a minimum follow-up period of 5 years.
2021-03-24 | The Link between Aggrecan and Familial Osteochondritis Dissecans
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a chronic disease of the articular cartilage characterized by focal lesions of subchondral bone and overlaying cartilage. Through the growing number of reports describing the high prevalence of OCD in some families, the subcategory termed familial OCD (FOCD) was established. With the development of genetic approaches such as genome-wide association studies and sequencing, aggrecan (ACAN) has been identified as one of the genes of interest associated with FOCD. Aggrecan is a crucial protein for the preservation and function of cartilage. However, due to FOCD being characterized relatively recently, there is a paucity of literature on the subject. The purpose of this review is to explore the relationship between ACAN mutations and familial OCD as well as to explore current treatment options and avenues for future research. In vitro and animal studies have shown the importance of ACAN in the preservation of cartilage. However, the only human ACAN mutation related to OCD ever identified is a V2303M mutation in the G3 domain. Multiple treatments have been superficially explored, and some options such as growth hormone (GH) and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) show potential. Thus, further research on FOCD in needed to identify other ACAN mutations and determine optimal treatment modalities for this patient population.
2019-06-03 | Comparison of the effect of growth factors on chondrogenesis of canine mesenchymal stem cells
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are proposed to be useful in cartilage regenerative medicine, however, canine MSCs have been reported to show poor chondrogenic capacity. Therefore, optimal conditions for chondrogenic differentiation should be determined by mimicking the developmental process. We have previously established novel and superior canine MSCs named bone marrow peri-adipocyte cells (BM-PACs) and the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of growth factors required for in vivo chondrogenesis using canine BM-PACs. Spheroids of BM-PACs were cultured in chondrogenic medium containing 10 ng/ml transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) with or without 100 ng/ml bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), 100 ng/ml growth differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5) or 100 ng/ml insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Chondrogenic differentiation was evaluated by the quantification of glycosaminoglycan and Safranin O staining for proteoglycan production. The expression of cartilage matrix or hypertrophic gene/protein was also evaluated by qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Spheroids in all groups were strongly stained with Safranin O. Although BMP-2 significantly increased glycosaminoglycan production, Safranin O-negative outer layer was formed and the mRNA expression of COL10 relating to cartilage hypertrophy was also significantly upregulated (P<0.05). GDF-5 promoted the production of glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen without increasing COL10 mRNA expression. The supplementation of IGF-1 did not significantly affect cartilaginous and hypertrophic differentiation. Our results indicate that GDF-5 is a useful growth factor for the generation of articular cartilage from canine MSCs.
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Drug Discovery Landscape
2 orphan drug designations for Osteochondritis dissecans.
2 orphan drug designations for Osteochondritis dissecans.
Drug | Therapy type | Regulator | Orphan designation | Approval | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
allogeneic human chondrocytes | cell therapies | FDA | 2024-12-30 | — | Vanarix SA |
recombinant human platelet derived growth factor-BB | proteins | FDA | 2010-08-06 | — | Biomimetic Therapeutics, Inc. |
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