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The elbow joint is made up of 3 bones – 1 upper arm bone (humerus) and 2 forearm bones (ulna and radius). At the lower end of the humerus are 2 smooth articular surfaces, the trochlea (on the inside of the elbow) and the capitellum (on the outside of the elbow). Osteochondritis dissecans (os-tee-o-kon-DRY-tis DIS-uh-kanz) of the capitellum (OCD) is a condition that affects the outside surface of the elbow that involves a separation of a segment of cartilage and the underlying bone. The bone underneath the joint’s cartilage is damaged due to lack of blood flow, causing pain.

Signs and Symptoms

pain on the outside of the elbow that gets worse with throwing or lifting heavy objects pain with weight bearing on the arms

locking or catching of the joint swelling

Increased Risk

sports involving overhead activity or repetitive stress on the elbow (baseball or gymnastics) males

people between the age of 11 to 23 years personal or family history of OCD

Treatment

  • Medicine
  • Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®), may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider.
  • Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®).
  • Use of cold and heat
  • Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage.
  • Heat should not be used on a new injury but may be used before performing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Rest
  • Rest from sports or impact activities for up to 6 months, sometimes longer, may be advised.
  • Orthopedic aids
  • A splint or cast to restrain the joint may be helpful if there is a lot of pain with daily activity.
  • Exercises
  • Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and proper body mechanics are important. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.
  • Surgery
  • Surgery may be needed for patients with on-going pain, unstable lesions, or lesions that do not heal with rest.

How to Prevent

When to Call the Health Care Provider

Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

pain on the outside of the elbow that gets worse with throwing or lifting heavy objects pain with weight bearing on the arms

locking or catching of the joint swelling

  • pain on the outside of the elbow that gets worse with throwing or lifting heavy objects

  • pain with weight bearing on the arms

  • locking or catching of the joint

  • swelling

sports involving overhead activity or repetitive stress on the elbow (baseball or gymnastics) males

people between the age of 11 to 23 years personal or family history of OCD

  • sports involving overhead activity or repetitive stress on the elbow (baseball or gymnastics)

  • males

  • people between the age of 11 to 23 years

  • personal or family history of OCD

  • Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®), may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider.

  • Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®).

  • Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage.

  • Heat should not be used on a new injury but may be used before performing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

  • Rest from sports or impact activities for up to 6 months, sometimes longer, may be advised.

  • A splint or cast to restrain the joint may be helpful if there is a lot of pain with daily activity.

  • Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and proper body mechanics are important. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.

  • Surgery may be needed for patients with on-going pain, unstable lesions, or lesions that do not heal with rest.

Maintain proper conditioning, strength, flexibility, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness.

  • Maintain proper conditioning, strength, flexibility, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness.

  • symptoms get worse after 2 weeks, even with treatment

  • new, unexplained symptoms develop

 

Sports Medicine: Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum (OCD) (PDF)

HH-I-544 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online