Osteochondritis Dessicans are lesions that usually cause pain and stiffness of the ankle joint and affect all age groups. Often, Osteochondritis usually follow a twisting type injury to the ankle.

Osteochondritis may cause swelling and ankle pain. When immobilization of the injury doesn't alleviate the problem, surgery is sometimes prescribed. The procedure usually involves removing the loose fragment of cartilage and bone from the ankle joint and placing small drill holes in the defect. The drill holes stimulate new blood vessels to fill the area and help form scar tissue to fill the defect.