Paediatria Croatica, Vol. 62 No. 3, 2018.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.13112/PC.2018.16
Osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow
Ivan Bojanić
orcid.org/0000-0002-4236-9637
; KBC Zagreb
Ivan Levaj
Damjan Dimnjaković
Tomislav Smoljanović
Abstract
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a disorder of articular cartilage and subchondral bone. In the elbow, OCD is localized most
commonly at the humeral capitellum. OCD of the elbow can be a signifi cant problem in adolescent athletes, especially in athletes
engaged in repetitive overhead activities and gymnasts. The likely cause of OCD of the elbow is multifactorial secondary to repetitive
microtrauma, biomechanical mismatch, and tenuous vascular supply of the capitellum. Plain radiographs may disclose the lesion
but computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are more accurate in the detection of OCD. It is important to diff erentiate
between stable and unstable OCD lesion to determine the best treatment option. Stable OCD lesions can be initially treated
nonoperatively with elbow rest or activity modifi cation. Surgery is indicated for patients who have unstable OCD lesion, those in
whom nonoperative management failed, or those that have loose bodies with associated mechanical symptoms. The potential
surgical interventions include bone marrow stimulation techniques, internal fi xation of large fragments, and osteochondral autograft
transplantation system. The aim of this article is to review current concepts on the aetiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis,
treatment, and outcomes of elbow OCD.
Keywords
OSTEOCHONDRITIS DISSECANS; ELBOW; DIAGNOSIS; THERAPEUTICS
Hrčak ID:
216971
URI
Publication date:
25.9.2018.
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