Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Ugeskr Laeger 2022 May;184(19)

Ortopædkirurgisk Afdeling, Hospitalsenhed Midt, Viborg.

In this case report, a six-year-old boy presented with an extension defect of the elbow. There was no known trauma or sports in the patient's prior history. He was diagnosed with Panner's disease. Read More

Orthop J Sports Med 2022 Mar 21;10(3):23259671221083582. Epub 2022 Mar 21.

Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Congress Medical Foundation, Pasadena, California, USA.

Background: Many procedures to reconstruct osteochondral defects of the elbow radiocapitellar (RC) joint lack versatility or durability or do not directly address the subchondral bone structure and function.

Purpose/hypothesis: To biomechanically characterize the RC joint contact area, force, pressure, and peak pressure before and after reconstruction of osteochondral defects using a novel hybrid reconstructive procedure. It was hypothesized that the procedure would restore the contact characteristics to the intact condition. Read More

Arthrosc Tech 2022 Mar 28;11(3):e435-e440. Epub 2022 Feb 28.

Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical Center-Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Germany.

This Technical Note describes the full arthroscopic one-stage treatment of high-grade osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum of the elbow joint by means of minced cartilage implantation. Read More

J Hand Surg Am 2022 Jan 4. Epub 2022 Jan 4.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Electronic address:

Purpose: Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum is often treated by marrow stimulation techniques with good long-term outcomes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to characterize the healing of cartilage repair tissue. However, no formal system exists for assessment of cartilage healing after marrow stimulation in capitellar OCD. Read More

Prog Rehabil Med 2021 16;6:20210044. Epub 2021 Nov 16.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan.

Background: Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the humeral capitellum presents most typically in adolescent athletes who perform repetitive overhead activities. Earlier studies have demonstrated that conservative treatment of OCD is appropriate for patients with an open capitellar growth plate from the standpoint that spontaneous healing can be expected.

Case: A 12-year-old male baseball player with two years of experience with a local team participated in our medical check that included screening for capitellar OCD using ultrasonography. Read More

J Orthop Case Rep 2021 Jul;11(7):74-77

Department of Orthopaedics, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.

Introduction: Osteochondrosis of humeral capitellum (Panner's disease) is a rare condition. Very few cases are reported in the literature and may be overlooked or misdiagnosed. Most cases are unilateral in distribution and occur in young boys during the first decade of life. Read More

J Orthop 2021 Sep-Oct;27:114-121. Epub 2021 Sep 14.

Department of Orthopedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 110 S. Paca Street, 6th Floor Suite 300. Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate radiographic-based classification systems for osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum and determine their agreement with intraoperative findings.

Methods: Using PRISMA guidelines, we analyzed 44 studies utilizing a total of 19 classification systems.

Results: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based systems showed better predictive value of intraoperative staging, and the Itsubo and Kohyama classifications showed best predictive value for lesion stability. Read More

J Nippon Med Sch 2022 Mar 14;89(1):81-87. Epub 2021 Sep 14.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nippon Medical School.

Background: This study evaluated clinical outcomes of elderly adults with coronal shear fractures (CSFs) of the distal humerus treated by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF).

Methods: Between April 2002 and March 2019, data from eight elderly patients (76.3 ± 5. Read More

J Hand Surg Am 2021 Aug 24. Epub 2021 Aug 24.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

Purpose: In capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), unstable lesions generally demonstrate signs of subchondral sclerosis. We postulate that OCD lesions have abnormal subchondral bone density. We aimed to quantify the subchondral bone thickness around OCD lesions using conventional computed tomography (CT) imaging. Read More

Iran J Public Health 2021 Apr;50(4):764-771

Department of Sports Rehabilitation, Korea Nazarene University, Cheonan, Korea.

Background: This study evaluated the effects of a 4-week initial rehabilitation program in middle and high school baseball players who underwent removal of a loose body from osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum humerus.

Methods: Middle and high school baseball players with osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum humerus were enrolled in this study. Each had more than 3 yr of experience and had undergone arthroscopic removal of loose bodies from the same expert at Kim's Orthop Special Clinic in Seoul. Read More

J Orthop Case Rep 2020 Dec;10(9):106-108

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kobe University, Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.

Introduction: The majority of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the elbow occurs in the humeral capitellum in adolescence while OCD in the humeral trochlea is relatively rare. We report a rare case of OCD in the humeral trochlea, which underwent mosaic-type osteochondral autologous transplantation.

Case Report: A 24-year-old man, who was a gymnastic athlete, complained of severe right elbow pain for 9 years. Read More

JSES Int 2021 May 8;5(3):564-570. Epub 2021 Mar 8.

Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon-City, Ehime, 791-0295 JAPAN.

Hypothesis: This study aimed to investigate the results, indications, and limitations of absorbable pin fixation for osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum in the separation stage.

Methods: This study included 35 patients (mean age, 14.0 years). Read More

JSES Int 2021 May 13;5(3):554-560. Epub 2021 Mar 13.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan.

Background: Little is known about the optimal timing of early return to sports after which the osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesion can completely heal. The aims of this study were to investigate the clinical outcomes of nonoperative treatment and elucidate the relationship between the radiographic findings and the timing for the return to sports.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 32 patients who presented with stable OCD of the capitellum and were treated nonoperatively for a minimum of 3 months. Read More

J Hand Surg Am 2021 12 28;46(12):1120.e1-1120.e7. Epub 2021 Apr 28.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, MO. Electronic address:

Purpose: Outcome measures that lack sensitivity for the detection of clinical changes early after surgery for capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) make it difficult to determine the optimal treatment for these defects. We sought to evaluate the early responsiveness of patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS) scores in a cohort of patients operatively treated for capitellar OCD.

Methods: Four PROMIS questionnaires (mobility, upper extremity [UE], pain interference, and peer relations) were electronically administered to patients treated for capitellar OCD at a single tertiary academic medical center between January 1, 2015, and July 1, 2018. Read More

Orthop J Sports Med 2021 Apr 7;9(4):23259671211007741. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Japan.

Background: Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the humeral capitellum occurs in adolescent overhead athletes, and medial epicondyle (ME) lesions are also common in this population.

Purpose: To evaluate the association between elbow OCD and ME lesions in adolescent baseball players.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Read More

J Hand Surg Am 2021 06 29;46(6):454-461. Epub 2021 Mar 29.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO. Electronic address:

Purpose: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a helpful tool in the evaluation of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the humeral capitellum. The relationship between MRI appearance and clinically relevant intraoperative findings is incompletely understood. The goal of this study was to evaluate capitellar OCD lesions via preoperative MRI and to determine its accuracy in predicting lesion characteristics including lesion size and capitellar lateral wall integrity. Read More

JSES Int 2021 Mar 16;5(2):307-313. Epub 2020 Dec 16.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Japan.

Background: Repetitive mechanical stress on the elbow joint during throwing is a cause of ulnar collateral ligament dysfunction that may increase the compressive force on the humeral capitellum. This study aimed to examine the effects of ulnar collateral ligament material properties on the humeral capitellum under valgus stress using the finite element method.

Methods: Computed tomography data of the dominant elbow of five healthy adults were used to create finite element models. Read More

JSES Int 2021 Jan 29;5(1):35-41. Epub 2020 Oct 29.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.

Background And Hypothesis: It is generally considered that fragment fixation with bone pegs (FFBP) for osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the humeral capitellum can be indicated for stages I and II according to the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) classification of OCD and it is difficult to obtain complete bone union for advanced lesions. However, the clinical and radiologic results of FFBP with cancellous bone graft for ICRS-OCD stage III with lateral wall involvement have not been described in detail. Good bone union can be achieved with the lateral wall fragment of the capitellum by FFBP in combination with refreshing the sclerotic surface at the base of the lesion and cancellous bone grafting even in ICRS-OCD stage III lesions. Read More

J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2021 Jul 21;30(7):1511-1518. Epub 2021 Jan 21.

Department of Orthopedics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores have not previously been used to measure long-term outcomes in operatively treated capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) patients. The aims of our study were to (1) assess patients' long-term outcomes using PROMIS scores, (2) compare the performance of PROMIS with other validated elbow legacy metrics, and (3) evaluate ceiling and floor effects in these outcome measures in patients undergoing surgical treatment for capitellar OCD.

Methods: We evaluated demographic characteristics, procedure details, preoperative PROMIS scores, and associated sports information in surgically treated pediatric capitellar OCD patients. Read More

Am J Sports Med 2021 02 15;49(2):353-358. Epub 2020 Dec 15.

Department of Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Yokohama Minami Kyosai Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan.

Background: Osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum (capitellar OCD) is a common injury among youth baseball players, but there are only a few studies that report on return to play with nonoperative treatment.

Purpose: To evaluate the medial elbow joint laxity under valgus stress and radiocapitellar congruity in patients with capitellar OCD and evaluate their relationship to predicting rehabilitation outcome.

Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Read More

Arthrosc Tech 2020 Nov 20;9(11):e1727-e1730. Epub 2020 Nov 20.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

Chondral and osteochondral lesions of the humeral capitellum, most notably osteochondritis dissecans, most commonly present in adolescent baseball players and gymnasts. A variety of surgical techniques can be used to address these lesions. Osteochondral autograft transfer has recently shown superior rates of return to sport. Read More

Orthop J Sports Med 2020 Mar 31;8(3):2325967120914656. Epub 2020 Mar 31.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1177/2325967119876247.]. Read More

Am J Sports Med 2020 03 13;48(4):966-973. Epub 2020 Feb 13.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Background: Autologous osteochondral grafting (OG) is an option in the treatment of capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (COCD). However, radiographic healing after this procedure has not been well documented.

Purpose: To develop a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based scoring system specific for evaluating healing after single-plug OG in COCD and to evaluate correlation between radiographic healing and early clinical outcomes. Read More

Orthop Clin North Am 2020 Jan 25;51(1):97-108. Epub 2019 Sep 25.

Fondren Orthopaedic Group, TERFSES Shoulder and Elbow Fellowship, Texas Orthopedic Hospital, 7401 South Main Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum is a relatively rare condition, with a higher incidence in adolescents who participate in repetitive overhead sports. The surgical treatment approach for this uncommon problem has varied from microfracture, loose body removal, abrasion chrondroplasty, lesion fixation, osteochondral allograft transplantation surgery, and osteochondral autologous transplantation surgery. The purpose of this study is to present the authors' preferred surgical technique for the treatment of unstable OCD lesions of the capitellum with osteochondral autologous transplantation surgery using autograft from the ipsilateral knee. Read More

Arthroscopy 2019 11;35(11):3025-3032

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Amphia Hospital, Breda, The Netherlands.

Purpose: To compare the histologic features of the cartilage from the capitellum with 2 proposed alternative donor sites from the ipsilateral elbow in the treatment of capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD): the nonarticulating part of the radial head and the nonarticulating lateral side of the olecranon tip.

Methods: Ten human cadaveric elbow specimens with macroscopically normal articular surfaces were used to obtain 5-mm osteochondral grafts: 10 from the capitellum (60° anteriorly relative to the humeral shaft), 10 from the radial head (nonarticulating part at 80°), and 4 from the olecranon (lateral side of the olecranon tip). Grafts were fixated in formalin (4% formaldehyde), decalcified, and processed into standard 8-μm-thick hematoxylin and eosin-and Toluidine Blue-stained sections. Read More

Orthop J Sports Med 2019 Oct 24;7(10):2325967119876247. Epub 2019 Oct 24.

Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Regenerative and Transplant Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan.

Background: Even in patients with an open capitellar physis, nonsurgical treatment for advanced-stage osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum often yields poor outcomes. However, surgical methods for such patients are controversial. At our institution, we have consistently performed closed-wedge osteotomy of the distal humerus to treat advanced-stage OCD of the capitellum, regardless of the OCD grade or condition of the capitellar physis. Read More

Am J Sports Med 2019 09 26;47(11):2691-2698. Epub 2019 Jul 26.

Keiyu Orthopaedic Hospital, Tatebayashi, Japan.

Background: Osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum (capitellar OCD) is a common injury among adolescent throwing athletes. Some younger patients with incomplete maturity of the epiphysis and early-stage capitellar OCD are good candidates for nonoperative treatment. However, during initial examination, predicting the need for surgical treatment in patients with capitellar OCD is difficult. Read More

J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2019 Sep 17;28(9):e313-e320. Epub 2019 Jul 17.

Niigata Hand Surgery Foundation Hospital, Seiromachi, Niigata, Japan.

Background: 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.

Methods: Seventy-seven elbows with all lesion types of osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum were treated with closed-wedge osteotomy. Read More

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2019 Oct 24;27(10):3291-3296. Epub 2019 Jun 24.

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore-Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, RM, Italy.

Purpose: The primary outcomes are the evaluation and quantification of pain relief and improvement in range of motion after OAT in OCD. The secondary outcomes are: resuming of sport activities, evaluation of the ADL recovery rate and subjective evaluation of the quality of life improvement.

Methods: Nine patients, affected by an unstable and non-acute OCD lesion of the capitulum humeri, have been treated by the same surgeon. Read More

Shoulder Elbow 2019 Apr 13;11(2):129-136. Epub 2018 Feb 13.

Upper Limb Unit, Amphia Hospital, Breda, The Netherlands.

Background: Diagnosing capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) can be difficult, causing delay in treating young athletes. The main aim of this retrospective diagnostic study was to determine which radiological technique is preferred to identify and classify elbow OCD.

Methods: We identified young patients who underwent elbow arthroscopy because of symptomatic OCD. Read More