Fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation for osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum in baseball players.

BACKGROUND

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum is a rare yet debilitating injury seen in young athletes. This is the first report in the literature describing fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation (FOCAT) to treat OCD of the capitellum.

METHODS

Nine male baseball players (mean age, 15.3; range, 14-18 years), with OCD of the capitellum were treated with FOCAT. There were 6 pitchers and 3 position players. A ligament-sparing, mini-open approach was used. A fresh femoral hemicondyle was used as a donor source. Of the 9 patients, 7 required 1 plug and 2 required 2 plugs. The average plug diameter was 11 mm (range, 8-18 mm). Five plugs were press fit, and 4 required additional fixation. Clinical outcomes were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 48.4 months (range, 11-90 months). Preoperative and postoperative outcome scores were calculated using the paired t test.

RESULTS

The Mayo Elbow Performance score improved from an average 57.8 to 98.9 (P < .01). The Oxford Elbow Score improved from 22.4 to 44.8 (P < .01). The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score improved from 35.2 to 5.4 (P < .01). The visual analog scale score improved from 7.8 to 0.5 (P < .01). The Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Shoulder and Elbow score improved from 32.6 to 82.5 (P < .01). All patients returned to throwing and were still active in their sport or played at least 2 years of baseball before leaving the sport unrelated to the elbow.

CONCLUSIONS

FOCAT for OCD of the capitellum in properly selected cases is a viable treatment with significant functional improvement and pain reduction in throwers.