Juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD) is a musculoskeletal disorder predominantly found in the elbow, ankle and knee. This condition can cause significant morbidity in young population. JOCD of the knee in particular is the most common and well described, even though etiology of the condition is uncertain. If left untreated, JOCD can result in premature osteoarthritis. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are revolutionizing basic research, helping to constantly improve our understanding of genetic mechanisms in biological systems.

We aim to generate RNASeq profiles of up to 25 cases of OCD contrasting pathological joints with contralateral tissue.  At the same time we will contrast the differential gene expression with differences in histopathology determined by micro-CT imaging.  These results will lead research in personalized therapies and diagnosis of JOCD patients based on their gene expression profile, given that opportune diagnosis is crucial to avoid compromise to the articular cartilage and increasing the opportunity of a restorative procedure.