Abstract
BACKGROUND: Even in patients with an open capitellar physis, nonsurgical treatment for advanced-stage osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum often yields poor outcomes. However, surgical methods for such patients are controversial. At our institution, we have consistently performed closed-wedge osteotomy of the distal humerus to treat advanced-stage OCD of the capitellum, regardless of the OCD grade or condition of the capitellar physis. PURPOSE: To clarify the clinical and radiological results and determine the influence of the capitellar physis on closed-wedge osteotomy for advanced-stage OCD of the capitellum in young patients. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A total of 32 patients with OCD of the humeral capitellum were treated surgically with closed-wedge osteotomy. Of these, 17 patients with more than 2-year follow-up were available for an evaluation. The mean patient age was 11.8 years (range, 11-12 years), and the mean follow-up period was 70.1 months (range, 25-184 months). The clinical assessment included range of motion, elbow pain, and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and Timmerman-Andrews scores. The radiological assessment at the final examination included cross-bridging of the physis, size and fishtail deformity of the distal part of the humerus, size of the radial head, healing of the OCD lesion, and osteoarthritis. RESULTS: The mean range of motion and JOA and Timmerman-Andrews scores improved significantly after surgery; 13 patients were completely pain free. In 11 patients with an open capitellar physis, metaphyseal-epiphyseal, cross-bridging was observed in 1 patient. A fishtail deformity of the distal part of the humerus was not observed. Healing of the OCD lesion was defined as excellent in 9 patients, good in 3, fair in 3, and poor in 2. In 3 of the 5 patients in whom healing was described as fair or poor, there was a lesion of the lateral widespread type with osteoarthritis before surgery. Moderate osteoarthritic changes were evident in 2 patients. CONCLUSION: Closed-wedge osteotomy for the treatment of advanced-stage OCD of the capitellum in young patients can provide satisfactory clinical and radiological results. However, fair and poor outcomes were found in lateral widespread-type cases with osteoarthritis before surgery. We believe that patients in whom osteoarthritic changes have not yet appeared are eligible for closed-wedge osteotomy.