Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee: long-term results of excision of the osteochondral fragment.

Abstract

This study aimed to show the results of osteochondritis dissecans fragment excision. We reviewed 85 patients (98 knees) with osteochondritis dissecans in a retrospective study of the results of merely excising the osteochondral lesion. Thirty-one knees were treated by only the removal of the fragment. Of these, it was possible to contact and examine 14 patients (14 knees); the average follow-up periods were 8.3 years (range 4.5-32 years). Knee function was evaluated according to the criteria of the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), 12 knees in the 14 patients had no further symptoms and the 2 others had mild pain when going up- and downstairs. Roentgenograms at follow-up showed slight osteoarthritic changes. The preoperative femoro-tibial angle measured at surgery showed no marked change compared with that at follow-up. The study suggests that clinical and radiological results are good following removal of the osteochondral loose fragments are excised.