2023 Annual Meeting Wrist & Elbow Access Pass-Opinion_ Capitellar Chondral Defect

Opinion_ Capitellar Chondral Defect_ OATS Is the Way!

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The debate focused on treating a 15-year-old gymnast’s large (1.3 cm) lateral capitellar chondral defect causing persistent elbow pain. The presented argument favored osteochondral autograft transfer system (OATS) as the preferred treatment. OATS replaces damaged bone and cartilage with hyaline cartilage, offering better healing and higher return-to-sport rates compared to microfracture or marrow stimulation, especially for large, deep, uncontained lateral lesions. The surgical approach involves a specific technique to access the lesion and harvest grafts from the knee. While donor site knee pain is a concern, OATS shows superior outcomes for larger lesions, whereas microfracture suits smaller, central lesions.

Asset Caption

Laith M. Jazrawi, M.D.

Keywords

osteochondral autograft transfer system

lateral capitellar chondral defect

elbow pain treatment

gymnast elbow injury

microfracture vs OATS