# Rehabilitation and return to sport criteria following surgical treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum: a systematic review

## TL;DR

This review examines when athletes can safely return to sports after surgery for a condition called osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum.

## Contribution

The study identifies a lack of standardized return-to-sport criteria and highlights the need for functional benchmarks.

## Key findings

- Most studies use time-based criteria for return to sport, with a 6-month timeline being most common.
- Elbow range of motion and imaging results are the most consistent return-to-sport criteria reported.
- Return to sport rates after surgery are high, but there is no consensus on standardized rehabilitation protocols.

## Abstract

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum is a well-described condition that most commonly affects adolescent throwing athletes and gymnasts. There is no gold standard rehabilitation protocol or timing for return to sport (RTS) after surgical management of OCD of the capitellum.

The purpose of the study was to identify in the existing literature any criteria used for RTS following surgical treatment of OCD of the capitellum. The hypothesis was that surgeons would utilize length of time rather than functional criteria or performance benchmarks for RTS.

Level 1 to 4 studies evaluating athletes who underwent surgery for OCD of the capitellum with a minimum follow-up of 1-year were included. Studies not describing RTS criteria, including less than 1-year follow-up, non-operative management only, and revision procedures were excluded. Each study was analyzed for RTS criteria, RTS rate, RTS timeline, sport played, level of competition, graft source (if utilized), and postoperative rehabilitation parameters. Assessment of bias and methodological quality was performed using the Coleman methodology score and RTS value assessment.

All studies reported a rehabilitation protocol with immobilization followed by bracing with progressive range of motion. RTS rate was 80.9% (233/288). The majority of studies reported using time-based criteria for RTS (11/15). The most commonly reported timeline was 6 months (range: 3-12 months).

The overall RTS rate after surgical treatment of capitellar OCD is high with no consensus on RTS criteria. The two most consistent RTS criteria reported in the literature are return of elbow range of motion and healing demonstrated on postoperative imaging. There is a wide range of time to RTS in the literature, which may be sport dependent. Further research is needed to develop functional and performance-based metrics to better standardize RTS criteria and rehabilitation protocols.