Basketball has always been a huge part of Jesse Williams’ life. As a 17-year-old athlete, he’s spent years honing his skills on the court. But when persistent knee pain escalated into something more concerning, Jesse found himself facing a challenge that would test his resilience—both physically and mentally.
Jesse was first diagnosed with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the knee at 15 after noticing he could feel his bone moving around. “I had knee pain in seventh grade, but a year later, during a summer in ninth grade, I noticed a piece of bone floating around in my knee that I could poke around,” Jesse shared. A visit to the doctor confirmed the diagnosis, and he was told he would need surgery to repair the damage.
OCD is when a piece of bone and the attached cartilage break down and become loose. The loose piece can break away completely from the end of the bone. OCD happens most often in the knee, elbow, or ankle. The condition usually happens in kids and teenagers who are very active.
After receiving his diagnosis, Jesse’s journey with Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville, began. Under the expert care of Dr. Stephanie Pearce and Caitlin Schlosser, ATC, Jesse underwent multiple surgeries, including an osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplant. The procedure, which restores damaged cartilage using donor tissue, is a cutting-edge treatment for athletes like Jesse who want to return to high-level competition.
The road to recovery wasn’t easy, but Jesse had a team of specialists guiding him every step of the way. “During a hard time in my life, all of them were there to encourage me and make me smile,” shares Jesse. “They also helped to collaborate with my physical therapist to give me the quickest way to get back to playing basketball.”
Today, Jesse is fully cleared to play—and he’s making the most of it. His determination, paired with the expertise of Nemours Children’s renowned sports medicine team, has helped him return to the game he loves.
Looking ahead, Jesse has big goals. “I’m hoping to play basketball in college and get a scholarship,” he shares. He also values his follow-up visits, knowing they provide reassurance that his knees are staying strong.
For other young athletes facing a similar journey, Jesse offers advice from experience, “Listen to your doctor and follow the restrictions they give you. No matter what, you’re going to miss time from sports, so you might as well do it right so it can heal a little faster and better. Just stay strong, pray, and let people help you through it. It will be a hard mental journey, but I believe in you.”
At Nemours Children’s Health, we believe in every athlete’s potential—and we’re proud to support patients like Jesse as they chase their dreams.
