Fragment fixation with a bone graft and dynamic staples for osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum

To attain bony union of the fragment in osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum, fragment fixation was performed with a bone graft and dynamic staples in 4 patients. The staples were inserted not from the articular surface but from the lateral aspect of the capitellum. All patients achieved bony union without complication, and 3 of them returned to playing competitive baseball. At final follow-up after surgery (mean, 7.5 years [range, 2.1-11 years]), 3 patients were able to throw a ball without pain and the remaining patient felt elbow dullness after he played recreational-level baseball as a pitcher. These results suggest that the procedure of fragment fixation with a bone graft and dynamic staples can provide satisfactory results for osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum with a large osteochondral fragment. (J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2002;11:368-372)