Management of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the elbow trochlea in the adolescent population: A systematic review

Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Elbow in Overhead Athletes: A Comprehensive Narrative Review

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the elbow mainly occurs in overhead athletes (OHAs). This narrative review aimed to comprehensively analyze the epidemiological data, etiological factors, clinical and imaging features, treatment options, and outcomes of OHAs with the diagnosis of elbow OCD. A literature search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science. Individuals with elbow OCD were usually 10-17 years of age with incidence and prevalence varying between studies, depending on the sport activity of the patients. The etiology of OCD lesions is multifactorial, and the main causes are believed to be repetitive trauma, the biomechanical disproportion of the articular surfaces, poor capitellar vascular supply, and inflammatory and genetic factors. Athletes usually presented with elbow pain and mechanical symptoms. The mainstay for the diagnosis of elbow OCD is MRI. The treatment of elbow OCD lesions should be conservative in cases of stable lesions, while various types of surgical treatment are suggested in unstable lesions, depending mainly on the size and localization of the lesion. The awareness of medical practitioners and the timely diagnosis of OCD lesions in OHAs are key to favorable outcomes.

Update in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum

Osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum is debilitating and is a potentially sports career-ending injury in a young and athletic population. Osteochondritis dissecans typically occurs in patients between the ages of 10 and 24 years, and boys are more commonly affected than girls. Conventional radiographs have low diagnostic accuracy, and magnetic resonance imaging (with or without contrast) or computed tomography may aid in accurate diagnosis. The primary indication for non-operative treatment is the presence of an intact cartilage cap on magnetic resonance imaging, indicating a "stable lesion." However, if operative treatment is necessary, various surgical procedures are available when operative treatment for an osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum is considered, including open or arthroscopic removal of loose bodies, with or without microfracturing, fragment fixation, osteochondral autograft transplantation, and osteochondral allograft transplantation. The decision-making process for selecting the appropriate treatment considers factors such as the patient's characteristics, functional limitations, and lesion morphology.

Top 50 Most-Cited Studies about Osteochondritis Dissecans

Purpose

To determine the 50 most frequently cited studies on osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) and to conduct a bibliometric analysis of these studies.

Methods

We performed a search within the Clarivate Web of Science database, identifying articles published before December 2022 that encompass topics related to OCD. The search was conducted using the keywords "Osteochondritis Dissecans OR Osteochondritis OR Dissecans."Search results were then filtered using predetermined guidelines and criteria, and the 50 most-cited articles were selected for analysis. Extracted data included title, journal, design, main topic, joint, citations, year, country of origin, and level of evidence.

Results

The search yielded 3,865 articles. The 50 most-cited articles were published between 1957 and 2018, with the greatest proportion published from 2000 to 2009 (60%). The most frequently studied topic was treatment (68%), followed by etiology (14%) and imaging (8%). The majority of articles had Level IV evidence (36%) and the largest proportion focused on the knee joint (36%), followed by the ankle (32%), and elbow (6%). The mean citation count per article was 287 (range: 157-1,050), with the most-cited articles primarily published from 2000 to 2003. The leading country of origin was the United States, accounting for 19 publications.

Conclusions

Most of the top 50 most-cited articles regarding OCD are about treatment, and the knee is the most-studied joint. The majority of the articles were Level IV evidence and were published in the United States between 2000 and 2009.

Clinical Relevance

The top 50 most-cited studies list will provide researchers, medical students, residents, and fellows with a foundational list of the most important and influential academic contributions regarding osteochondritis dissecans (OCD).

Detection of Factors Related to the Development of Osteochondritis Dissecans in Youth Baseball Players Screening

On-field screening for 'elbow injury in baseball', a condition commonly seen in youth baseball players, was conducted over two years on 160 elementary school students in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. This on-field screening was conducted in collaboration with the Ibaraki Prefecture High School Baseball Federation. Pitchers, catchers, symptomatic players, and players who had previously experienced elbow pain were given a comprehensive evaluation that included a physical exam and ultrasound. Out of the 135 students who were successfully screened, 10 were diagnosed with osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum (OCD). Notably, seven among these were asymptomatic. This assessment identified limited range of motion and pain when extending their elbow as significant risk factors for OCD. An attempt at on-field screening for baseball elbow injuries in collaboration with the local baseball federation was introduced. The risk factors for OCD were identified. Considering these factors, more efficient screening will be possible in the next attempt.