Bone Reports (Jun 2023)

From “ACAN” to “I CAN”: Restoring wellness in a boy with severe osteochondritis dissecans through diagnostic precision combined with optimal medical, surgical and rehabilitation management

  • Maria Ochoa,
  • Ashlee Yang,
  • Carrie Kollias,
  • Christina Bakir,
  • Sasha Carsen,
  • Joanna Lazier,
  • A. Micheil Innes,
  • Marika Pagé,
  • Jonathan Dawrant,
  • Marie-Eve Robinson,
  • Khaldoun Koujok,
  • Nazih Shenouda,
  • Frank Rauch,
  • Leanne M. Ward

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18
p. 101663

Abstract

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Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a disease of the joints characterized by idiopathic focal subchondral lesions. Aggrecan, a proteoglycan encoded by the ACAN gene, is important for cartilage structure and function. We describe the clinical evolution of a patient with short stature, multi-focal OCD, and subchondral osteopenia that appeared linked to a novel pathogenic ACAN variant. A multi-disciplinary approach including medical (bisphosphonate) therapy, surgical intervention and rehabilitation were successful in restoring wellness and physical function.

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