Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a localized injury or condition affecting the bone just below the cartilage surface of a joint. OCD is often associated with repetitive trauma and sports. In OCD, the involved bone just below the joint surface fails and fractures from repetitive stress or from interruption of its local blood supply. Eventually, the overlying cartilage, not properly supported by the affected bone, can separate and an OCD fragment of bone and cartilage can break loose. If the OCD is stable (not loose) and the patient is still growing, conservative treatment of rest sometimes can allow it to heal. However, when the OCD lesion is more mature and has separated from the rest of the bone with the overlying cartilage either intact, partially separated or completely separated (loose body), surgery is often needed to stimulate, graft, stabilize, or remove the OCD fragment. If neglected, the OCD may come loose, catch in the joint, (causing pain, locking, clicking, etc.) and leave a hole in the joint surface that will accelerate the wear and tear and development of arthritis of the shoulder joint. Arthroscopic surgery is indicated to evaluate and remove or repair these OCD fragments when they fail conservative treatment or are separating and unable to heal. It is unknown exactly what causes OCD but many theories exist including; traumatic injury (direct injury to the joint), repetitive stress (overuse), loss of blood supply to the bone, and abnormal bone formation.

Dr. Chudik developed and patented arthroscopic techniques and instruments to safely approach OCD lesions from behind to repair them without damaging the overlying cartilage.