2021 Annual Meeting Wrist & Elbow Access Pass-Return to Play Rates Following Arthroscopic Treatment of Elbow Osteochondritis Dissecans Lesions in Adolescent Baseball Players

Return to Play Rates Following Arthroscopic Treatment of Elbow Osteochondritis Dissecans Lesions in Adolescent Baseball Players

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Video Summary

This study evaluated adolescent baseball pitchers with capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) treated arthroscopically. Among 20 male patients followed for an average of 5.7 years, 81% returned to sport within 5.2 months, with some advancing to higher levels. Despite a high return-to-sport rate and 86% satisfaction, patient-reported outcomes via KJOC scores were relatively low (~65), indicating ongoing functional deficits. No outcome differences were linked to lesion characteristics or surgery type. Limitations included retrospective design, small sample size, and lack of preoperative measures. Overall, arthroscopic treatment yields good return rates and satisfaction, but persistent symptoms may affect function.

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Dr. Robert Jack | The Athlete's Elbow

Keywords

adolescent baseball pitchers

capitellar osteochondritis dissecans

arthroscopic treatment

return to sport

patient-reported outcomes