Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Throwing Elbow

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the humeral capitellum induced by throwing is most commonly found in baseball players, especially those 10–12 years of age. With a 2–8 % incidence in Japan, OCD is much more frequently diagnosed in Japan than in Europe or America. Various causes have been discussed, but it remains unclear. Although it is restored by conservative treatment at the early stages, surgical treatment is required at the advanced stages. The purpose of treating juvenile baseball players with OCD is to repair the osteochondritis anatomically, prevent osteoarthritis, and allow patients to return to sports activities at the same level prior to surgery. OCD should be treated to avoid or relieve the development of elbow osteoarthritis aiming at an anatomical cure. This chapter describes the clinical condition of OCD, its treatment methods, and the authors’ operative procedure for correcting it.