Team physician #8. Osteochondritis dissecans of the patella in a competitive fencer. A case report and review of the literature.

Osteochondritis dissecans of the patella, a rare condition producing knee pain in the athlete, is considered to be the result of repeated shear forces producing microtrauma. We present the case of a fencer who developed this injury. The confirmation of the diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging scan is demonstrated, and the literature is reviewed with an emphasis on treatment. The physician treating athletes with anterior knee pain must consider this entity in making the differential diagnosis.