The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of arthroscopic management of osteochondritis dissecans(OD) of the elbow.

Seven patients rangeing from 13 to 20 years of age, and average age 15.7 years were evaluated in this study. All patients underwent arthroscopic removal of loose bodies followed by multiple drilling into the defect of the capitellum. The average follow-up period was 19.7 months (range, 16 to 28 months). Results were analyzed clinically using the elbow scoring system of Broberg and Morrey.

There were five good and two excellent results. Three cases, however, showed slight medial instability while performing the valgus stress test. All patients had no or slight pain, and regained a full range of motion. Although four amateur athletes showed good results, they were unable to recover their pre-injury sports activity level.

Arthroscopic removal of loose fragments for late stage OD enabled the evaluation of lesions of the anterior and posterior aspects of the joints, and minimized morbidity.