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

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.