Update in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum

Osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum is debilitating and is a potentially sports career-ending injury in a young and athletic population. Osteochondritis dissecans typically occurs in patients between the ages of 10 and 24 years, and boys are more commonly affected than girls. Conventional radiographs have low diagnostic accuracy, and magnetic resonance imaging (with or without contrast) or computed tomography may aid in accurate diagnosis. The primary indication for non-operative treatment is the presence of an intact cartilage cap on magnetic resonance imaging, indicating a "stable lesion." However, if operative treatment is necessary, various surgical procedures are available when operative treatment for an osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum is considered, including open or arthroscopic removal of loose bodies, with or without microfracturing, fragment fixation, osteochondral autograft transplantation, and osteochondral allograft transplantation. The decision-making process for selecting the appropriate treatment considers factors such as the patient's characteristics, functional limitations, and lesion morphology.