osteochondritis dissecans (bone chips)
of the radiocapitellar joint
What is it?
The radius and capitellum are the two bones on the outer side of the elbow.
With repetitive stress of throwing, young patients, usually older than 13, can have bone chips form from either of those bones. Sometimes the bone chip dislodges and can become a loose body in the elbow joint.
What does it feel like?
It is usually a dull ache that is worse with throwing. Some players with large chips of bone or cartilage have clicking, popping or locking of the elbow with certain movements.
How is it treated?
Nonoperative treatment is sometimes successful for some throwers if the bone chip is not too big, and has not become a free body. Casting or bracing for a short time followed by a long time off is required.
Operative treatment is required if pain persists after nonoperative treatment, or if the bone chips are large or are loose bodies. It is usually arthroscopic surgery, requiring very small incisions.
How long will I be out of throwing?
If nonoperative treatment is successful, about 6 months.
If surgery is required, about 6-12 months. It depends mostly on the size of the bone chip and if it has become dislodged or not.
It should be noted that only about 70% of athletes with this elbow problem return to throwing at the same ability level as before the problem developed
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