[Evaluation of treatment results for osteochondritis dissecans of the knee joint]

The paper presents the results of treatment of 66 patients with osteochondritis dissecans of the knee in the period between 1987 and 1998. Arthroscopically assisted removal of loose bodies was performed in 14 patients, arthroscopy and fixation of the lesion with one or two screws was performed in 5 patients and arthroscopically assisted drilling of the site of the defect was performed in 26 patients. The patients were clinically evaluated according to the 100-point Lysholm scale. Basing on the Lysholm scale, results wee classified as excellent in 11 patients, as good in 15 patients, fair in 14 patients and poor in 5 cases. Treatment of osteochondritis dissecans by excision of the loose or partially attached fragment, with shaving of the base of the crater does not give good results. Excision should be reserved for small fragments that cannot be replaced anatomically. Restoration of congruity of the joint surfaces by fixation of the lesion fragment prevents future gonarthrosis and gives good final results.