Name
#13 Impact of Osteochondritis Dissecans on Early Adverse Attrition in Military Service - A Stratified Analysis by Service Branch and Sex
Speakers
Content Presented On Behalf Of:
DHA
Session Type
Poster
Date
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Start Time
5:00 PM
End Time
7:00 PM
Location
Prince Georges Expo Hall E
Focus Areas/Topics
Clinical Care
Learning Outcomes
1. Understand the Military Health Implications of Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD):
Examine the prevalence, pathophysiology, and progression of OCD (ICD-10-CM code M93.2) in military populations, and its impact on physical readiness and operational performance.
2. Evaluate Early Adverse Attrition (EAA) in OCD Waivered Service Members:
Assess EAA outcomes at 1-year and 3-year intervals among active duty enlistees accessed via an approved OCD medical waiver, compared to medically qualified (MQ) cohorts.
3. Analyze Attrition Patterns Across Service Branches and Sex:
Identify differential attrition rates and disability discharge outcomes for OCD waivered service members, stratified by service branch and sex, to uncover demographic and occupational risk factors.
4. Inform Policy Optimization for OCD Management in Military Health:
Utilize findings to support evidence-based modifications to DoD medical standards, ensuring effective recruitment policies and long-term readiness for service members with OCD.
Examine the prevalence, pathophysiology, and progression of OCD (ICD-10-CM code M93.2) in military populations, and its impact on physical readiness and operational performance.
2. Evaluate Early Adverse Attrition (EAA) in OCD Waivered Service Members:
Assess EAA outcomes at 1-year and 3-year intervals among active duty enlistees accessed via an approved OCD medical waiver, compared to medically qualified (MQ) cohorts.
3. Analyze Attrition Patterns Across Service Branches and Sex:
Identify differential attrition rates and disability discharge outcomes for OCD waivered service members, stratified by service branch and sex, to uncover demographic and occupational risk factors.
4. Inform Policy Optimization for OCD Management in Military Health:
Utilize findings to support evidence-based modifications to DoD medical standards, ensuring effective recruitment policies and long-term readiness for service members with OCD.
Session Currently Live
Description
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), classified under ICD-10-CM code M93.2, is a joint disorder that affects the subchondral bone, leading to the separation of bone segments due to insufficient blood supply. Although uncommon, with an incidence of 6 to 29 per 100,000 individuals annually, OCD poses significant challenges in military populations due to its impact on physical readiness and operational performance. In the general population, the condition most frequently affects the knee, particularly the medial femoral condyle, and is prevalent among active, skeletally immature individuals aged 12-19 years (Chau et al., 2021). In military settings, repetitive microtrauma from high-impact activities such as running, marching, and combat tasks can exacerbate OCD lesions, increasing the risk of chronic disability and early attrition (Andriolo et al., 2020). Cases requiring surgical intervention or resulting in functional limitations often lead to Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) processing and disability separation, highlighting the importance of timely diagnosis and effective management strategies.
To address these readiness challenges, the Medical Standards Analytics and Research (MSAR) team is conducting a study to evaluate early adverse attrition (EAA) among active duty enlistees accessed between FY 2019-2023 via an approved OCD medical waiver. The waivered cohort, composed of individuals diagnosed with OCD (M93.2), is compared to demographically matched medically qualified (MQ) enlistees. EAA is assessed at both 1-year and 3-year intervals using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, with results stratified by service branch and sex to identify differential attrition patterns. Sub-analysis of disability discharge is conducted using chi-square or analogous non-parametric tests to evaluate significance of associations and relative risk. Findings from this study aim to inform evidence-based modifications to DoD medical standards, ensuring a balance between recruitment needs and long-term health outcomes for service members.