Arthroscopic surgery for isolated capitellar osteochondritis dissecans in adolescent baseball players - Minimum three-year follow-up

Background: Osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum of the humerus usually occurs in adolescence and is caused by the valgus forces associated with excessive throwing. Hypothesis: Arthroscopic surgery is an appropriate procedure for this condition. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Arthroscopic surgery was performed on 10 baseball players (average age, 13.8 years) with osteochondritis dissecans whose symptoms had been apparent for an average of 9 months before the operation. Follow-up at an average of 3.9 years included use of a standard rating scale, radiographs, and a questionnaire regarding return to sport. Results: There were two grade I, one grade II, two grade IV, and five grade V lesions. Symptoms and objective findings correlated poorly with the grade of the lesion. The postoperative score averaged 195, reflecting excellent results. Radiographcally, the primary lesion was still apparent in one patient, secondary degenerative changes were evident in one patient, and, in one patient, the lesion was still evident and degenerative changes had occurred. Only four athletes returned to organized baseball. Conclusions: Arthroscopic surgery for symptomatic osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum in adolescent baseball players can provide excellent rating scores with intermediate follow-up but does not assure return to baseball. (C) 2002 American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.