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RESEARCH & ARTICLES

Fresh Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation For Osteochondritis Dissecans Of The Capitellum

Purpose: To report the results of using a femoral condyle allograft for adolescent baseball players with OCD in the capitellum.

Summary:

  • Nine male baseball players with a mean age of 15.3 years received an allograft for treatment of OCD in the capitellum of their dominant arm
  • A ligament-sparing, mini-open approach, as previously detailed by Mirzayan et al., was utilized in each patient
  • Technique allowed for more aggressive rehabilitation without bracing
  • Improvements in the Mayo Elbow Performance score, Oxford Elbow Score, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Shoulder and Elbow score as well as the visual analog scale were noted
  • All patients were able to return to sport and played for at least 2 additional years before leaving baseball. Elbow pain was not a reason for leaving in any case.

Take Away: The use of a fresh osteochondral allograft can be a successful option for patients with OCD of the capitellum because it restores the hyaline articular surface, improves pain and function and allows return to sport.

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Authors: Raffy Mirzayan and Michael J. Lim

Published: Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2016 Nov;25(11):1839-1847.

Level of Evidence: IV

Institution: Southern California Permanent Medical Group