Osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum.

A retrospective study was done of 84 patients with osteochondritis dissecans of the capitelum who were seen during a 43-year period; followup of 57 patients could be obtained, nine of whom had involvement in both elbows. Most of the osteochondral lesions could be classified either as those still attached to the capitellum (type 1) or as loosened fragments lying free and floating within the joint (type 2): 24 were of type 1 and 37 were of type 2. Residual limitations were highest in the type 2 lesions that were treated either nonsurgically or surgically after a long delay. The best surgical results occurred with excision of the osteochondral defect and drilling or curettage of subchondral bone.