Osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow: excellent results in teenage athletes treated by arthroscopic debridement and microfracture

Aim To evaluate the outcome of patients who underwent microfracture procedure on osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions in the elbow, which had already been proven successful on OCD lesions in the knee and ankle. Methods Nine young patients who were previously treated by arthroscopic debridement and microfracture by a single surgeon were included in the study. The median age at operation was 15 years (range 12-19). The median time between the procedure and evaluation was 5 years (range 2-9). The evaluation included physical examination and patient interview with elbow function scoring. Success of treatment was determined according evaluation Mayo Elbow Performance Index scores and the patients' return to sports. Results Eight patients scored excellent results and 1 scored a good result. Four out of 9 patients were able to increase their training intensity, 2 returned to the same level of activity, 2 changed sports (due to reasons unrelated to the health of their elbow), and 1 left professional sports and started training only recreationally. No patients stopped participating in sports altogether. Conclusions We advocate arthroscopic microfracturing, followed by a strict rehabilitation regime, as a highly effective treatment for OCD of the humeral capitellum.