Panner's Disease

Description: Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics
Discussion: - disease involving capitulum of distal humerus that produced changes similar to those observed in Legg Calve Perthes disease; - it should be distinguished from osteochondritis dissecans; - pathologic process is believed to be caused by an interferrence in blood supply to growing epiphysis, which results in resorption & eventual repair and replacement of the ossification center; - in patients under 20 years of age, capitellum is only supplied by end arteries entering posteriorly; - Panner's disease almost always occurs in the dominant elbow in boys between 5 and 12 years of age; - inciting causes: - chronic repetitive trauma, congenital and hereditary factors, embolism (fat), and endocrine disturbances;