Arthroscopic use of the Herbert screw in osteochondritis dissecans of the knee

Abstract

This article describes repair of osteochondritis dissecans of the knee by arthroscopic Herbert screw fixation and reports the healing response and clinical results. Eleven patients were subjected to surgery using arthroscopy and all were affected by symptomatic osteochondritis dissecans of the medial femoral condyle. Average follow-up time was 16.3 months (13-29). One to four Herbert screws were used, either as the only fixation method or in conjunction with absorbable pins [poly (p-dioxanone)], depending on size and fragmentation of the injury. The patients were non-weight bearing for 10 weeks. The radiographic evidence of healing was correlated with the clinical outcome. The results were excellent or good in 81.8% of the patients. Arthroscopic Herbert screw fixation is an effective and safe method of repair for osteochondritis dissecans of the knee.