[Results of operative treatment of osteochondrosis dissecans of the knee joint in juveniles].

This paper reports about the check-up of 33 juvenile and 28 adult patients who were operated on because of osteochondrosis dissecans of the knee. The average period of observation was 4.7 years. According to the aspects of age and the stage of the disease the results were compared to each other. The age of the patient at the moment of operation has doubtless the greatest influence on the prognosis. Juveniles operated in stage 2 or 3 have a particularly good prognosis. From stage 4 on it does not seem reasonable to try to preserve the dissecate. In the case of juveniles metabolic or endocrinological diseases do not appear to be of any relevance whereas mechanical factors like overstress at sports, hereditary ligament laxity or deviations of axis of whatever origin seem to be of larger import.