Fixation of detached osteochondritis dissecans lesions with bioabsorbable pins: clinical and histologic evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose was to evaluate the effect of fixation of detached free fragments of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) (International Cartilage Repair Society OCD IV) on not only the clinical outcome, including functional and radiographic assessment, but also postoperative second-look arthroscopic and histologic evaluation.


METHODS
Nine International Cartilage Repair Society OCD IV fragments were fixed with bioabsorbable pins made of poly-L-lactic acid after curettage of the bed and bone grafting. In 4 cases with severe cartilage damage in the fragments, after resection of the damaged part, trimmed fragments were fixed and osteochondral autologous transplantation was performed to cover the remaining defects. The follow-up period was at least 2 years (range, 2 to 3 years). Lysholm score and computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), second-look arthroscopy, and biopsy findings were examined postoperatively.


RESULTS
All patients ultimately could return to previous sports activity, and the mean postoperative Lysholm score was 97 (range, 90 to 100). At 6 months, CT/MRI scans showed complete union and smooth continuity of articular surface in all cases. Second-look arthroscopy in 7 cases showed that fixed fragments were stable and that there were no progressive degenerative changes in the cartilage. Postoperative histologic examination in 4 cases showed almost normal cartilage from surface to bottom in terms of viability and quality. In addition, new bone trabeculae were covering dead bone trabeculae, which is called creeping substitution.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study shows good short-term clinical results, as well as confirmation of healing on CT/MRI and second-look arthroscopy.


METHODS
Level IV, therapeutic case series.
Department of Sports Orthopaedics, Osaka Rosai Hospital, 1179-3 Nagasone-cho, Kita-ku, Sakai, Osaka, Japan. yonechan-osk@umin.ac.jp
Yasukazu
Y
Yonetani
Tomohiko
T
Matsuo
Norimasa
N
Nakamura
Takashi
T
Natsuume
Yoshinari
Y
Tanaka
Yoshiki
Y
Shiozaki
Shigeyuki
S
Wakitani
Shuji
S
Horibe
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D001858:Bone Nails; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D003475:Curettage; D003646:Debridement; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007594:Joint Loose Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008297:Male; D010008:Osteochondritis Dissecans / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)