Treatment of capitellar osteochondritis dissecans with a tendon graft: a case report.

A 14-year-old girl who was engaged in farming was admitted with the complaints of right elbow pain and limited range of motion in the elbow joint. Plain radiograph revealed capitellar osteochondritis dissecans. After the loose fragment was removed from the capitellum and the defect was curetted, a palmaris longus tendon graft harvested from the same hand was implanted into the capitellar defect. Elbow joint was immobilized for three weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that tendon graft was successfully adapted into defect. The range of motion was preserved and she had no pain in the elbow joint. In conclusion, we suggest that tendon autograft can be used in the treatment of capitellar osteochondritis dissecans.