Osteochondral Autograft Transportation vs Arthroscopic Fragment Resectionfor Large Capitellar Osteochondritis Dissecans in Adolescent Athletes - A Minimum of 5-year Follow-up
Authors: Ueda Yusuke , Sugaya Hiroyuki , Takahashi Norimasa , Matsuki Keisuke , Hamada Hiroshige , Takeuchi Yasutaka , tsuchiyama kohnan 
Published: July 2019

Objectives:

Small capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions have shown excellent functional and radiographic outcomes after arthroscopic (AS) fragment resection in previous studies. However, surgical options for unstable large capitellar OCD lesions in skeletally immature athletes remains controversial. Before 2007, we exclusively performed AS fragment resection for all inviable lesions regardless of lesion size. However, we initiated to perform osteochondral grafting for selected larger lesions in the year of 2007. The purpose of this study is to investigate functional outcomes and radiographic changes after osteochondral grafting and AS fragment resection for unstable large capitellar OCD lesions(>1/2 radial head diameter) in skeletally immature athletes with a minimum of 5-years follow-up.

Methods:

Group 1 consisted of 19 elbows in 19 patients (19 males; 16 baseball, 2 badminton and 1 gymnastics) that underwent osteochondral grafting for capitellar OCD (mean age, 14; range, 13-15), and the mean follow-up was 8 years (range; 5-11). Group 2 consisted of 21 elbows in 19 patients (17 males and 2 females; 16 baseball, 2 gymnastics and1 handball) that underwent AS fragment resection (mean age, 14. range, 13-15), and the mean follow-up was 8 years (range, 5-10). Preoperatively, the mean transverse diameter of lesions was 13 mm (range, 11-14) in Group 1 and 13 mm (range, 10-16) in Group 2. Superior migration of the radial head (>2-mm side-to-side difference) was seen in four elbows in Group 1 and one elbow in Group 2. Radial head enlargement with more than 20% of the contralateral side was seen in seven elbows in Group 1 and one elbow in Group 2. Functional scores (JOA score, DASH score and patient satisfaction), range of motion (ROM), and radiographic findings including Kellgren-Lawrence osteoarthritis (OA) grade were evaluated and compared between the groups.

Results:

All patients returned to sports activity. Functional scores at the final follow-up were not different between Group 1 and 2: JOA score, 90 (range, 68-100) vs 91 (range, 82-100); DASH score, 1 (range, 0-7) vs 3 (range, 0-14); Patient satisfaction, 84 (range, 50-100) vs 81 (range, 50-100). Flexion ROM at the final follow-up did not show significant improvement in both groups compared to preoperative values, though there was a significant difference at the final follow-up between the groups: Group 1, 133º (range, 115-150º); Group 2, 133º (range, 120-145º). Extension ROM showed significant improvement in both groups (P<.001 for both): Group 1, -18º (range, -35-0º) to -8º (range, -22-10º); Group 2, -17º (range, -50-0º) to 0º (range, -10-20º). Group 2 had significantly better extension than Group 1 at the final follow-up (P =.003). OA change progressed in 12 elbows (63%) in Group 1 and in 9 elbows (47%) in Group 2. There were four grade 3 OA elbows in Group 1, which preoperatively had superior migration and enlargement of the radial head. No elbows showed severe OA change in Group 2.

Conclusion:

Functional outcomes and radiological findings after both osteochondral grafting and AS fragment resection for unstable large capitellar OCD lesions in adolescent athletes were satisfactory with a mean follow-up of 8 years. However, grade 3 OA were seen after osteochondral grafting in four elbows with preoperativesuperior migration of the radial head. Osteochondral grafting should be performed before radiographical changes become severe.