Osteochondritis describes focal lesion of the cartilage and subchondral bone. It affects the femoral head more commonly than the acetabulum. The cause is usually a combination of trauma and local vascular disruption. It can occur after known hip conditions like Perthes, AVN, and hip dysplasia. It can cause pain and mechanical problems like clicking and loose bodies. X-rays and MRI show the lesion well. Treatment is based on symptoms. Surgical options include fixation of the lesion, unloading of the lesion with redirectional osteotomy, excision alone or excision and grafting with autologous or allograft osteochondral plug.
Osteochondritis of the acetabulum
Osteochondritis of the femoral head