Your child has osteochondritis dissecans (oss-tee-oh-kon-DRITE-iss DISS-ih-kanz) of their ankle. Osteochondritis dissecans is a small area of damaged bone and cartilage (tissue that protects and supports bones) that can become loose or break away from the rest of the bone. Kids who have it usually have pain in the area, especially when they are active. If it's not treated, it can lead to continued pain, swelling, catching or locking of the joint, and sometimes arthritis (a condition that causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness).

By following your health care provider's directions about completely resting the ankle and going to physical therapy, your child should heal well and be able to return to most of their usual activities within a few months. Full return to sports can take a little longer.

Follow your health care provider's instructions for:

• Wearing a cast, splint, or boot
• Using crutches safely if they were given to your child
• Resting the ankle and avoiding physical activities
• Making follow-up appointments
• Getting follow-up X-rays
• Going to physical therapy
• When your child can go back to sports and other activities

If your child has pain, these may help:

• Put ice in a plastic bag wrapped in a towel on the outside of the cast, splint, or boot for 20 minutes every 3 hours. Don't put ice directly on the cast, splint, boot, or skin.
• If your health care provider says it's OK, you can give acetaminophen (Tylenol® or a store brand) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). Follow the package directions for how much to give and how often.
• Help your child get their mind off the pain by:
  • Doing an activity they enjoy, like reading a book or watching a show together
  • Listening to relaxing music

Your child:

• Has worsening pain
• Develops more swelling around the ankle
• Can't move their ankle
• Has symptoms that get better and then return

Why does osteochondritis dissecans happen? Osteochondritis dissecans of the ankle usually happens after an injury from sports or another activity. They can sometimes happen when someone uses the ankle too much for a sport and makes the same movements over and over. Genetic (inherited) factors can also play a role in whether a child develops an osteochondritis dissecans.

How is osteochondritis dissecans diagnosed? Usually, a plain X-ray will show if there is osteochondritis dissecans. Your child may need to get an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) if the osteochondritis dissecans area is small or to help your health care provider decide how best to treat it.

When can my child go back to their normal activities? Most kids need to completely rest the ankle for 4–6 weeks. After resting, they can slowly start activities, including physical therapy. Most kids can return to sports after 3–6 months.

Will my child need surgery? Some kids need surgery if the osteochondritis dissecans area is big or is not getting better with rest.