Both Debridement and Microfracture Produce Excellent Results for Osteochondritis Dissecans Lesions of the Capitellum: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE: To analyze the available literature pertaining to the indications, outcomes, and complications of both microfracture (MFX) and simple debridement for capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) criteria. Studies were included if they evaluated OCD of the capitellum that underwent either arthroscopic debridement (AD) or MFX. The risk of bias was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies (MINORS) scale. Patient demographic characteristics, imaging findings, return-to-sport rates, patient-reported outcomes, range of motion (ROM), complications, failures, and reoperations were recorded. RESULTS: Eleven studies with 327 patients (332 elbows) met the inclusion criteria. Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies (MINORS) scores ranged from 63% to 75% and showed considerable heterogeneity. Both AD and MFX showed improvement in patient outcome scores, ROM, and return to play, although the data precluded relative conclusions. Improvement in motion after MFX ranged from 4.9° to 5° of flexion, 5° to 22.6° of extension, 1° to 2° of pronation, and 0.5° to 2° of supination, whereas after AD, it ranged from –4° to 6° of flexion and –0.4° to 14° of extension, with prono-supination noted in only 1 study. The rate of return to play at a similar level of preinjury athletic competition ranged from 55% to 75% after MFX and from 40% to 100% after AD. Lesion location was discussed in only 1 study. Postoperative imaging trended toward early degenerative changes, most commonly of the radial head. Complications were only reported in 1 MFX study; in all cases, the complication was transient ulnar nerve neurapraxia. Reoperation rates ranged from 0% to 10%, and reoperation was most commonly performed to address radial head enlargement. Five studies reported no reoperations. CONCLUSIONS: Both AD and MFX for capitellar OCD appear to yield excellent improvements in pain, ROM, patient outcome scores, and return to sport. Given that comparable mid-term outcomes can be achieved with debridement alone, without the use of MFX, similarly to recent prospective studies in the knee, AD alone may be a reasonable approach to relatively small OCD defects. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of studies, all Level IV evidence.