Various options are available to treat OCD of the capitellum. However, a specific type of treatment will be chosen depending on the stage and nature of the condition.
If the OCD of the capitellum is in its early stage and stable, conservative treatment involving rest and modification of activities may suffice. This includes total abstention from all sports or sporting activities until the condition is fully healed. In some cases, procedures such as casting, bracing or splinting may be needed.
Surgery will be considered if:
- There is no improvement in the condition after 3 months of rest
- The OCD of the capitellum does not respond to conservative therapy
- The condition is unstable, in which there are loose fragments caught between the moving parts of the joint
The surgical options can be:
- Arthroscopy (minimally invasive approach with good results)
- Internal fragment fixation or loose-body removal
- Autologous chondrocyte grafting (osteochondral autograft transplantation)
- Local debridement, abrasion chondroplasty, closing-wedge osteotomy
Post-Surgery Care and Recovery
After the surgery, you will be advised not to return to any overhead throwing sports or activities until the injury is completely healed, even if motion is restored and pain is absent.
It may take between 4 months to 2 years to fully recover from OCD of the capitellum.