The Wilson test is a medical screening for osteochondritis dissecans of the knee. It involves rotating the foot inward and extending the leg, causing pain if the condition is present. OCD occurs when part of the knee bone breaks away, causing pain and inflammation. A Wilson test can help determine if an OCD lesion is present in a specific location. Treatment options include rest, physical therapy, and surgery.
A Wilson test is a medical screening procedure for the presence of osteochondritis dissecans of the knee. It is performed while the patient is seated on a table with the legs and feet bent at a 90-degree angle and hanging down freely. During the Wilson test, the coroner asks the patient to rotate the foot inward toward the other foot and slowly extend and straighten the leg. When osteochondritis dissecans is present, there is increased pain when the leg is about 30 degrees from extension. This pain is relieved when the leg is rotated outward.
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a medical condition in which part of the knee bone breaks away from the rest of the bone, allowing bits of bone and cartilage to move freely in the knee. This can lead to pain and inflammation, especially when running or using stairs. OCD is a rare condition, but it occurs more frequently in adolescent athletes and more commonly in males. It usually occurs as a result of sporting activity and repetitive stress on the knee.
During a physical exam, a doctor will first look at the gait to see if the patient is compensating for painful movement. Your doctor will feel your knee for any lumps, swelling, or objects that are moving around your knee. A Wilson test is performed to further examine the possibility of OCD in a particular area of the knee.
The classic location of an OCD is on the lateral edge of the medial femoral condyle. This is one of two bony prominences at the lower end of the femur. Although OCD can occur in other locations around the knee and also in other parts of the body such as the knee or elbow, a Wilson’s test can help determine if an OCD lesion is present in this location. The positioning of the knee and leg during the Wilson test puts pressure on any bone fragments that are present, causing pain.
If the doctor determines that the patient has OCD, the patient may be referred for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray, or other test to determine the exact location and extent of the lesion. Young patients can heal on their own if they rest the joint and avoid high-impact activities. Physical therapy can help strengthen surrounding muscles and protect the knee from further injury. If your knee doesn’t heal on its own, you may need surgery to remove bone fragments and repair damaged areas.
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