Osteochondritis dissecans in ankle

An MRI revealed that I have Osteochondritis dissecans in my right ankle recently. It has been nagging me for years but I only recently decided to do something about it, because it was really starting to interfere with my life (and let's face it, I'm a guy, so I don't like to complain - it's just a bit of pain!).

I have an appointment this week to see a traumatologist and will prob end up having surgery, from what I read, so that'll be fun.

I've not really had too many back issues, as yet (though it does bother me from time to time). I've totally adjusted how I walk due to the OD so I can see how this would happen.

How's your back now?

Hi, I had the same problem with Osteochondritis dissecans in the right ankle. As per the OP, I was mis-diagnosed for the first year of the pain - I had broken the ankle when I was 28 and the trauma caused the OCD, but it wasn't picked up until I kept complaining and went to another Doctor.

In September of 2012 (Almost 2 years after the initial ankle-break), my new doctor suggested that surgery would put me out of action for a while with no guaranteed chance of improvement, so gave me orthopaedic insoles for my shoes, I didn't notice much difference at first but when I now wear shoes without them my ankle becomes really painful again. He permitted me to run, but only on soft surfaces, and to cycle. He ruled out any other stop-start sport, or activities which require a rapid change of direction on the ankle. He then went on to tell me not to get fat either... due to the extra weight that'd put through the ankle. :D

I was given a recovery time of about one year, which takes us to September 2013. As yet I can report only temporary improvement, followed by searing pain which causes me to limp when I walk. I was running about 20km a week, and when that started to hurt too much I bought a bike and cycle about 80km a week instead.

I'm not too hopeful of recovery and I'm a little worried that this isn't going to heal at all - prohibiting me from taking part in most sports, hiking or even going shopping and carrying heavy loads.

The ankle is a bugger of a place to get an injury like this because it's weight-bearing. Although it's a pain for me, I couldn't imagine someone who has young kids to chase after/carry around or someone with a physical job which requires them to be on their feet all day.

Gosh I wrote that ages ago! Thanks for the replies. I've had surgery since my initial post - in February 2013. I've had a synovectomy of my right ankle. It appears the synovium was getting really inflamed due to the OCD in my ankle and getting crushed in the joint. Apparently very painful and I can confirm that is indeed the case. Since my operation, the pain has got better. I'm still struggling with not being able to do so much, and really having to work hard at my physio, but I take each day as it comes.

I really feel for you guys - it is hard to adjust your lifestyle. I too have orthotics and am also doing back exercises to try and keep as mobile as possible for as long as possible. I thoroughly recommend the support group I found on Facebook. There are over 100 people on there from all over the world and it's great for sharing experiences, the good times and bad times. Come on over if you feel minded to. There are people who just KNOW how it is to live with this disabling condition.

I got mine done last week and was wondering how long it took you guys to start walking properly again? Or even walking a little?

Whenever I try to walk it is agony in my ankle. Is this normal?

Also how long until you can continue with sports such as football etc?

Thanks!

Hi All,

I wish I had all your stories a few years ago, when I was going through OCD diagnosis and treatment! Like a few of you here, I was also mis-diagnosed for about a year.

I had arthroscopic surgery for ankle OCD in Sept. 2009. Before then, I was a casual runner -- never ran anything more than 10 km, but would often go out for 5-6 km run for regular exercise. During surgery, a 1-cm (diameter) piece of cartilage was removed, and my talus was filed for smoothness. I couldn't bear any weight on the ankle for 6 weeks, and I couldn't walk properly for nearly 3 months. I got into physiotherapy as soon as I could. The therapist gave me lots of exercises to do, both for balance and strength -- mostly one-legged squats and leg-raises. To be honest, I was a bit overwhelmed by all of the exercises and started to cheat by not doing them every day. But eventually my ankle was strong enough for me to return to my daily walks with my dog.

But if I ran -- even for short distances -- my back would get all tingly and then feel extremely sore the next day. It was so painful that I could not sit in a chair for 5 min. So I went back to my physiotherapist, who -- bless his heart -- was committed to getting me back to running regularly (if casually), but for some reason the exercises didn't help much this time around. I was doing back stretches, "back strengthening" exercises, and a few leg strengthening exercises. So that was about 2 years ago.

Since then, I've made a near full recovery. The tricks for me were to (1) get proper custom orthotics and (2) make a habit of going to the gym to do some challenging weight-bearing exercises for my legs. I focused on strengthening my quads and glutes and all of those major leg muscles, doing squats, lunges, etc. with added weights, not just my body weight. I've pushed myself harder than ever at the gym, and it's made a life-transforming difference. I remember running my first 10 km route since being diagnosed with OCD, and I didn't feel ANY pain -- neither in my ankle nor in my back -- the following day. It felt great, and I'm quite certain the success owed to my stronger leg muscles. Now I just have to make sure that I keep going to the gym!

I right there with everyone on this forum. I broke mine and wasn't told for 3 months after the surgery after I found the right PA that actually cared enough to look. I since had a scope, bone reconstruction surgery and a Brostrom done. Unfortunately with my job in the army and the fact that my body didn't take to the surgery very well. I am now being Med boarded out of the army for my conditions because I am of no use to the army anymore. I personally am going to Pain Management now to try to see if I have nerve damage from all the surgery s. I have to take Nurotine every day to be able to be mobile enough to do things. It is a life changing condition and for me I feel as though it has taken my life/personality away from me. I love nature and hiking around, enough said on that. I would love to continue to talk to you all and, if needed, be any help to those that are going into the process. Has anyone in here had a successful recovery from their surgery in here?

Hi Chris, sorry it has taken a while to come back to you. You're not alone and you're right it is life changing. Again I'd like to point you all in the direction of the facebook group as it has been really useful.

Dear All,

Really happy to find this forum, obviously, as stated by the first poster here, OCD in the ankle isn't very common. I have found no other who know anything about this, except for the ortho who will perform surgery on me at some point in a few weeks time. He's done his share of OCD of the ankle, so I fully trust his assessments, which aren't, in my opinion, great. I can see that some of you here too, has had really bad experiences from ODC.

Now, I appear to have had it all until now, so I I'll see if I can pull this on off too:

1. Violent ankle sprain including a total achilles tendon rupture. May 2013.

2. second child born September 2013 (yep, I now have TWO toddlers to run after, first born april 2012)

3. PT suspects ODC in August, recieve conservative treatment until recovery from achilles tendon rupture is sufficient to plan for new surgery.

4. MRI in march 2014, diagnosed with ODC of the talus, ca 17x7x5 mm fragment, including bone.

5. Also diagnosed with a longitudinal split and advanced tendinosis of the peroneus brevis tendon.

6. Awaiting surgery for ODC in a couple of weeks - simple fragment removal, no microfracture, drilling, allograft, or anything else.

7. Planning surgery for the peroneus brevis tendon fall 2014 if ODC surgery is succesful.

But, the ortho isn't optimistic. He said I should be pain free and cleared to do all kind of daily activities by 5-6 weeks after surgery, however, he believe he will find extensive cartilage damage in my talar joint, and hence I will never be able to return to running or running/jumping based activities. In which it is of little use to do anything with my peroneus brevis tendon.

I am/was an avid runner, so I am very happy to see that some here have actually returned to the sport. I am really hoping, but, you all know...

Looking forward to receive some responses and 'heads up'. Something tells me I'll need it.

tordts raised an important point earlier! The Facebook group is hard to find. So, here is a link which I hope works!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/198872129025/

Please come find it. There are some really helpful people over there.

Hello All,

I am a 22 year old female with Osteochondritis Dissecans in both of my ankles. I was diagnosed when I was 16.. does anyone else on here suffer from this condition bilaterally in the ankles? Or heard of anyone that

has? I had scopes performed on both of my ankles when i was 17, but the pain is now increasing and hard to manage since it affects both of my feet. Thanks for reading guys!

Hi all

I have just been told I have chronic osteochronditis in my neck (C6/7) I have no idea what it is or if it's serious, or indeed what the treatment is.

I am a former marathon runner and ironman triathlete and have been having ongoing problems with my lower back (dehydrated discs), knee pain and ankle pain for a while. I have stopped running but now I'm in constant pain.

any ideas on what this osteochronditis is and treatmentt suggestions?

Nick

Just to let you know, there is now a UK group for those suffering with OCD. Head on over to Osteochondritis Dissecans (UK) Support

https://www.facebook.com/groups/909530449066848/