Osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow

Abstract

Purpose of review Treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow remains challenging. Recently, several techniques for resurfacing a cartilaginous lesion with hyaline cartilage have been developed and applied to osteochondritis dissecans lesions. In this review, we mainly focus on the development of surgical management for osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow over the past year. Recent findings The surgical strategy for osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum (capitellar osteochondritis dissecans) has tended to shift from marrow-stimulating techniques to autologous osteochondral grafts as a cartilage-resurfacing technique. Osteochondral grafts for capitellar osteochondritis dissecans provide better outcomes than simple excision. Regarding the postoperative morbidity of the donor knee, no adverse effect on the donor site is found in young athletes with capitellar osteochondritis dissecans. Additionally, arthroscopic surgery for osteochondritis dissecans lesions has been expanded as well as for other elbow disorders. However, there has been no evidence that arthroscopic surgery for osteochondritis dissecans lesions results in any better prognosis for the patient. Summary The goal of treatment for capitellar osteochondritis dissecans is to return patients to their previous level of sport activities and to regenerate long-lasting hyaline cartilage tissue to replace cartilaginous lesions. For this treatment goal, an arthroscopic cartilage-resurfacing procedure may be an ideal treatment for capitellar osteochondritis dissecans.