ARTHROSCOPIC DRILLING IN JUVENILE OSTEOCHONDRITIS-DISSECANS OF THE MEDIAL FEMORAL CONDYLE

Fourteen children affected by juvenile osteochondritis dissecans of th e medial femoral condyle (16 knees) were treated by arthroscopic drill ing of the lesion. The average age at operation was 12.8 years, and al l the knees had open physes. Conservative treatment including restrict ion of activities had been unsuccessfully attempted in all cases for a period of >1 year on average. At surgery each lesion was shown to hav e intact articular cartilage. All the lesions progressed to healing, a nd the patients were asymptomatic at an average of 56 months after the operation. Radiographic examination showed reconstitution of a normal or minimally flattened profile of the medial condyle. Arthroscopic dr illing of the lesion in knees with juvenile osteochondritis dissecans and intact articular cartilage was effective to promote healing. The l ow morbidity and easy rehabilitation justify the procedure for these y oung patients when conservative measures fail.