Radial Head Changes in Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Humeral Capitellum

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the elbow has almost exclusively been described in the humeral capitellum, with only a small number of reports describing secondary osteochondral changes in the radial head.

The authors hypothesized that concomitant radial head lesions (RHLs) would be seen with capitellar OCD and that patients with RHLs would present with more advanced capitellar OCD lesions and would respond better to procedures restoring articular congruity.

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

A total of 86 elbows from 82 patients (39 female patients; mean ± SD age, 13.8 ± 2.2 years; age range, 9.8-23.6 years) were treated for capitellar OCD and enrolled in a prospective registry. Clinical and radiographic data were compared between those with and without RHLs, with a median follow-up of 10.8 months (interquartile range, 6.2-17.1 months). Magnetic resonance imaging was used to characterize and measure RHLs and OCD lesions. Postoperative clinical results were compared between patients who underwent drilling and those who had osteochondral autograft transplantation surgery (OATS).

RHLs were present in 26 (30%) elbows-17 in the dominant arm. Edema was seen in 22 elbows; 17 had involvement of the anterior third of the radial epiphysis. Cysts were present in 4 elbows: 2 in the anterior third and 2 in the middle third. Blunting of the normal concave contour of the radial epiphysis was present in 10 elbows in the anterior third. Demographic and presenting clinical features were similar between those with and without RHLs. RHLs were more commonly seen in Nelson grade 4 OCD lesions (P = .04) as compared with elbows without RHLs. Elbows with RHLs that underwent OATS (n = 9) trended toward greater improvement in forearm range of motion (P = .058) and fewer persistent mechanical symptoms (P = .06) postoperatively as compared with elbows having RHLs that underwent drilling. There were no postoperative differences in elbows without RHLs that underwent OATS versus drilling.

RHLs were seen in one-third of elbows with capitellar OCD. Lesions predominantly occurred in the anterior RH in patients with more advanced capitellar lesions. Short-term clinical follow-up suggested greater improvement in range of motion and resolution of mechanical symptoms for patients with RHLs who were treated with OATS than with drilling.