Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee: arthroscopic compression screw fixation.

This article describes repair of osteochondritis dissecans of the knee by arthroscopic compression screw fixation and reports the healing response and clinical result. Diagnostic and operative arthroscopy was performed. Compression screw fixation was used. The exact operative technique varied depending on the status of the lesion. The patients were non-weight bearing for 2 months, after which a second surgery was necessary for removal of the metallic screw(s). The initial healing response was assessed by the firmness of the lesion to palpation at the second look. Subsequent x-ray evidence of healing was correlated with the clinical outcome. Ninety-four percent of the knees were determined to be initially healed at the time of the second look. Four of these apparently solid repairs subsequently loosened and required repeat surgery. Eighty-eight percent of the patients assessed their results as excellent or good after 2 years minimum follow-up. Arthroscopic compression screw fixation is an effective method of repair for mild to moderately severe cases of osteochondritis dissecans.