Summary

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of arthroscopic bioabsorbable screw fixation in osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in adolescent patients with unstable lesions causing pain.

Abstract

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of arthroscopic bioabsorbable screw fixation in
osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in adolescent patients with unstable lesions causing pain.

Methods

The study included 11 patients (10 males and 1 female) with OCD who underwent arthroscopic bioabsorbable screw fixation
between July 2007 and February 2014 and were available for follow-up for more than 12 months. The mean age at diagnosis
was 16.3 years (range, 11 to 19 years), and the average follow-up period was 51 months (range, 12 to 91 months). Clinical results
were evaluated using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Lysholm knee score, and International Knee Documentation
Committee (IKDC) score measured before surgery and at follow-up. Functional evaluation was made using the Tegner
activity scale. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and second-look arthroscopy were performed at the 12-month follow-up.

Results

Between the preoperative assessment and follow-up, improvements were seen in the KOOS (range, 44.9 to 88.1),
Lysholm knee score (range, 32.6 to 82.8), and IKDC score (range, 40.8 to 85.6). The Tegner activity scale also improved from 2.8 to
6.1. Based on postoperative MRI, there were eight Dipaola grade I cases and three grade II cases. No complications due to fixation
failure developed in any case. Second-look arthroscopy at 12 months postoperatively revealed that the lesion was covered with
cartilage in all cases.

Conclusions

For unstable OCD lesions causing pain in adolescents, arthroscopic bioabsorbable screw fixation provided favorable
outcomes with reduced pain and restoration of movement. Therefore, it should be considered as an effective treatment for OCD.