Various surgical methods are used for osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum; however, we have consistently performed a closed-wedge osteotomy of the lateral humeral condyle since 1983. The purpose of this study is to clarify the long-term results of closed-wedge osteotomy for osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum.
Seventy-seven elbows with all lesion types of osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum were treated with closed-wedge osteotomy. Unstable osteochondral fragments were fixed with a bone graft and bone pegs in combination with osteotomy. The mean age of the patients was 14.0 years. The patients were clinically and radiographically evaluated at a median value of 9.0 years after surgery.
The range of elbow motion and standard deviation were increased significantly from 119° ± 22° preoperatively to 131° ± 18° postoperatively (P < .001). The Timmerman and Andrews score were improved significantly from 141 ± 26 points preoperatively to 184 ± 21 points postoperatively (P < .001). The Timmerman and Andrews score and the range of elbow motion at final examination in patients with preoperative osteoarthritic changes were significantly inferior to those in patients without preoperative osteoarthritic changes. Good remodeling of the capitellar lesions was radiographically observed in 53 elbows (69%). In the long-term follow-up evaluation, although 41 elbows (53%) had advanced osteoarthritic changes that were classified as grade II or III, disease progression was controlled in most of these cases.
Good or excellent long-term clinical results were maintained in most of our patients. Closed-wedge osteotomy of the lateral humeral condyle is a useful method that can provide acceptable long-term clinical results.