Osteochondritis dissecans of elbow:

• An osteochondral lesion is a form of avascular necrosis involving a focal area of cartilage
  
• Due to repetitive microtrauma casuing vascular insufficiency.
• Capitulum is the third most common site (after medial femoral condyle and talar dome).
• Most commonly affects male adolescents and young adults.
• Radiographic feature
  – Lucent lesion at articular surface (detached osteochondral fragment), loose bodies maybe seen
  
  Lucent area with sclerotic margin in capitellum can be seen with loose bodies.

  – MRI is done for staging. Various methods to stage (not discussed here). MRI is important in the management plan.

• Mx: conservative with NSAIDs and immobilization. Surgical management (drilling, replacement of bone fragment, pinning etc) maybe done if fragments are unstable/displaced but the success rate only ~40%.
• Late complication: secondary OA