Osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow

Capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) can be a significant problem in adolescent overhead athletes. The cause is likely multifactorial secondary to repetitive stresses, biomechanical mismatch, and a tenuous vascular supply of the capitellum. Recent literature reveals that the prevalence is likely higher than previously thought. This, in conjunction with increased levels of athletic competition in children at younger ages, has fed the recent interest in this topic. The literature continues to show that non-operative treatment is still successful for stable lesions. Unstable lesions, therefore, have been the focus of the new literature regarding operative management and outcomes. The aim of this paper is to provide a summary of current literature and an up-to-date approach to the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum.