Long term results of operative treatment of knee osteochondritis dissecans

Abstract

Purpose: This retrospective study was designed to evaluate the hypothesis that open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of an unstable osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesion results in a high percentage of acceptable outcomes at long-term follow-up.

Methods: Eight patients who had been treated with ORIF for unstable knee OCD lesions were identified. Long-term outcomes were assessed with a Subjective Knee Evaluation Form and Knee Examination Form of the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC 2000) and an OCD specific Hughston rating scale.

Results: All lesions were healed and stable to arthroscopic probing at 3 months. At the average follow-up of 14.8 years (range 12-21 years), the mean IKDC subjective score was 80.9. In IKDC examination form, six patients reached group A (normal) and two patients reached groups B (near normal) and C (abnormal), respectively. According to Hughston criteria, three patients were rated excellent, three good, one fair, and one poor.

Conclusions: We recommend aggressive attempts to preserve articular cartilage in OCD.