There has been explosive growth of intensive, year-round sports for children of both sexes, with a resulting high degree of family involvement and commitment. Consequently, a diagnosis of juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD) impacts parent and child on many different levels. Compliance is the key element when a conservative treatment plan for JOCD is appropriate. An informed physician understands the dynamics between the "compliance triad" of physician, parent, and child, and recognizes that compliance is a process with foreseeable stages and characteristic behaviors.