Osteochondritis of the femoral condyles in children and adolescents: our experience over the last 28 years.

A study of 67 cases was carried out amongst children and adolescents suffering from osteochondritis of the femoral condyle (with open or closed knee physis). All attended our orthopaedic and traumatology centre over a 28-year period (1973-2001). A total of 67 patients have been treated. Arthrotomy and drilling of the affected area was performed on 12 patients; 48 patients were treated with arthroscopic multiple-perforations of the affected articular cartilage and the remaining seven evolved correctly with conservative treatment. Our study has taken into account the symptomatology and the period of preoperative evolution, radiological forms of presentation and the state of the lesion. Follow-up has varied between 12 and 72 months, with an average of 39 months. Despite controversy regarding the usefulness of multiple perforations, we believe it to be the best method of treatment during childhood and adolescence, especially for patients with an open physis.