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From the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Humeral Capitellum

by Alfred Atanda, MD; Deepak Reddy, MD; Dharmesh Vyas, MD; Michael A. Terry, MD

Humeral capitellum osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a disorder of the subchondral bone and articular cartilage that can be a source of significant pain in the young athlete. Although humeral capitellum OCD can affect children of all ages, adolescent overhead-throwing athletes are particularly susceptible to developing this condition. The clinical presentation of this disorder can be quite variable: most patients present with activity-related elbow pain; however, in severe cases patients may also have mechanical symptoms. While the exact etiology of humeral capitellum OCD is unknown, repetitive microtrauma from overuse and increased valgus load across the elbow joint are thought to be causative factors. Depending on the stage of the lesion and status of the articular cartilage, several treatment options are available, including local débridement, abrasion chondroplasty, loose body removal, fragment fixation, microfracture, and osteochondral autograft transplantation procedures.

Keywords: OCD, humeral capitellum OCD, juvenile osteochondritis dissecans, Little Leaguer's elbow, Little League elbow, elbow OCD, osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow

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