Osteochondral Autograft Plug Transfer for Treatment of Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum in Adolescent Athletes

OBJECTIVES: Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum is a condition most commonly seen in adolescents involved in repetitive over-head sports and can profoundly affect both ability to return to play and long-term elbow function. Large, unstable defects, defined as those greater than 1 cm in size, have unproven or poor long term outcomes with surgical interventions such as fragment excision, microfracture or attempted fixation. Treatment of similarly sized OCD lesions in the knee with osteochondral autograft plug transfer has proven both effective and safe. While interest has developed for expansion of its use to the elbow, it has yet to be adequately studied. The goal of this study is to evaluate clinical outcomes and return to play in adolescent athletes treated with osteochondral autograft plug transfer from the knee for large, unstable OCD defects of the capitellum. METHODS: Inclusion Criteria: 1) Inability to participate in competitive sports 2) OCD defect of the capitellum that was either unstable on MRI or in patients who had failed 6 months of conservative treatment 3) Defect measuring at least 1 cm in area on diagnostic arthroscopy 4)Reconstruction of capitellar OCD with osteochondral autograft plug transfer 5) Minimum of 6 months post-operative follow-up. Data collection included chart review, determination of return to play, elbow range of motion, and DASH outcomes. The surgical technique was the same for all patients. It included initial diagnostic elbow arthroscopy, including loose body removal, followed by posterolateral approach to the elbow with lateral collateral ligament takedown from lateral epicondyle and eventual suture anchor repair, preparation of the capitellar osteochondral defect and appropriate plug transfer from the lateral trochlear ridge of the ipsilateral knee through a lateral approach. All patients followed the same post operative protocol, consisting of splint immobilization for 2 weeks, conversion to a hinged elbow brace for 4 weeks with progressive range of motion, and resumption of throwing and strengthening exercises at 3 months. RESULTS: A cohort of 11 patients with a minimum of 6 months post procedure was identified. All patients were available for evaluation at an average 22.7 months follow up (range 6-49 months). Average age at the time of surgery was 14.5 years (range 13-17 years). The group consisted of 10 males and 1 female, all of which were involved in competitive athletics. Average return to play was 4.4 months (range 3-7 months). All athletes returned to at least their same level of play as pre-operatively. 3 have received Division 1 college scholarships (gymnastics, lacrosse and baseball pitcher). Of the 5 pitchers, 4 returned to pitching. The average DASH score was 1.36 (95% CI 0.59-2.12) and the average Sport Specific DASH score was 1.7 (95% CI -1.78-5.17). There were statistically significant improvements in elbow flexion from 125.45 degrees to 141.36 degrees (p=0.009) and extension from 20.45 degrees to 4.55 degrees (p=0.006). There was one adverse event. This consisted of a superficial wound infection, which resolved with surgical debridement and antibiotics and did not adversely affect eventual return to play. There were no complications or donor site morbidity related to graft harvest. CONCLUSION: Treatment of large, unstable osteochondritis dissecans lesions of the capitellum in adolescent athletes allows reliable return to high level of sports, is safe and has excellent long-term clinical outcomes.