OSTEOCHONDRITIS-DISSECANS OF THE HUMERAL CAPITELLUM IN CHILDREN

We studied 13 cases of osteochondritis dissecans of capitellum humeri in 12 children, 11 boys and 1 girl, aged between 10 and 15 years. We d istinguished this affection from Panner's disease which affects young children and resembles Legg-Perthes-Calve disease of the hip. Operativ e treatment was performed in 7 out of 13 elbows for removal of loose b odies or excision of osteochondritis in situ with cartilage damage. In other cases, functional treatment was carried out. At long-term follo w-up, ranging from 2 to 13 years, clinical examination demonstrated sa tisfactory results in 9 cases; in 3 cases limitation of movement was r elated to fracture of the radial head or to delay in operative treatme nt for too long. Roentgenographically, changes related to growth distu rbance were constantly observed; they involved the radial head, the ol ecranon, the trochlea and the proximal end of the ulna.