What is osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum?

What is osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum?

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum is a disabling condition that affects immature athletes who undergo repetitive compression of the radiocapitellar joint. This localized lesion involves a segment of articular cartilage with disruption of associated subchondral bone.

Is osteochondritis dissecans a bone disease?

Osteochondritis dissecans is a bone and cartilage condition that most often occurs in the knee. It has no known cause, but repetitive stress on the joint, low vitamin D and a genetic predisposition are often linked to this condition.

What is panners disease?

Panner disease is an osteochondrosis of the capitellum of the elbow. Panner disease is primarily seen in boys between the ages of five and ten years old. Panner disease is often caused by excessive throwing due to valgus stress.

What is the cause of osteochondritis?

The cause of osteochondritis dissecans is unknown. The reduced blood flow to the end of the affected bone might result from repetitive trauma — small, multiple episodes of minor, unrecognized injury that damage the bone. There might be a genetic component, making some people more inclined to develop the disorder.

Is vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency related to the development of osteochondritis dissecans?

Conclusion: These first data show that a vitamin D3 deficiency rather than an insufficiency may be involved in the development of OCD lesions. Probably, with a vitamin D3 substitution, the development of an advanced OCD stage could be avoided.

What happens if osteochondritis dissecans goes untreated?

If left untreated, osteochondritis dissecans can damage the cartilage in the joint, and loose pieces of bone and cartilage may even break off into the joint. In the long term, untreated osteochondritis dissecans can also lead to arthritis. Osteochondritis dissecans most commonly affects the knee, ankle and elbow.

What is a capitellum?

The capitellum, also referred to as the capitulum, is the lateral part of the humeral condyle that articulates with the radial head.

How common is Kienbock’s disease?

Kienbock’s disease is very rare. One estimate found about 7 in 100,000 people with Kienbock’s disease among people who were having wrist imaging for other reasons.

What is OCD repair?

The goal of OCD repair is to restore the normal bone-cartilage anatomy at the affected area. If the cartilage is intact, the abnormal bony area may be addressed. Restoration of normal blood flow to the underlying bone is key to this approach.