[Operative treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the knee joint]

39 Patients out of 51 who have been operated on because of osteochondrosis dissecans of the knee-joint had a follow-up after a mean observation period of 8 years. In 17 patients the removal of the dissecate was the only operative procedure, in 11 patients a mouse-bed smoothing was simultaneously performed. The excision of the dissecate out of the mouse-bed with a simultaneous smoothing of the margin was performed in 11 cases. Postoperatively 28 patients were absolutely free of symptoms and the weight-bearing was not restricted. The follow-up revealed low-grade symptoms dependent on weight-bearing in 7 patients. A connection between the modifications of the operative procedure and the result of the operation could not be established. Signs of an arthrosis, already preoperatively detectable, and excessively spread osteonecrotic foci had an unfavourable influence on the result.