The arthroscopic management of osteochondritis dissecans of the adolescent elbow

The management of avascular necrosis of the capitellum of the adolescent elbow continues to be a dilemma. This article is a critical retrospective analysis of 12 pediatric patients (mean age at surgery 14.5 years) who underwent arthroscopic debridement alone followed by early range of motion. Follow-up at a mean of 3.2 years (range, 2.0 to 5.7 years) indicated that the average flexion contracture improved from 23 degrees preoperatively to 10 degrees postoperatively. All patients had remodeling of the capitellum by plain radiographs; however, five patients had associated enlargement of the radial head. Eleven patients had minimal mechanical symptoms after the procedure and were highly satisfied. One patient had substantial enlargement of the radial head with continued loss of supination and mechanical symptoms requiring radial head resection 2 years after the index procedure. Five patients had a triangular avulsion fragment present off the lateral capsule. A statistically significant worse subjective outcome was associated with the presence of this fragment (P < .005). There were no complications.