RESEARCH & ARTICLES

Fresh Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation for Bipolar Reciprocal Osteochondral Lesions of Knee

Purpose: Osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation is an effective treatment option for defects of the knee but in instances of reciprocal bipolar cartilage lesions poor results have been demonstrated in the literature.

Summary:

  • Bipolar tibiofemoral allografting is more challenging than other OCA transplants. Failure is more common for bipolar “kissing” chondral lesions and if not adequately treated, frequently progresses to advanced osteoarthritis
  • Utilizing an OCA is the only technique that treats cartilage defects with anatomically matched cartilage.
  • Further surgery was required in 63% of the cases. Survivorship of the OCA was 64.1% at 5 years and 39% at ten years of follow up
  • In successful transplants improved function, reduced pain and satisfaction with the procedure were reported.

Take Away: Bipolar OCA transplantation can be considered a potential biological treatment option for patients with bipolar cartilage lesions of the knee.

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Meric, G., MD, G. Gracitelli, MD, S. Gortz, MD, A. De Young, and W. Bugbee. "Fresh Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation for Bipolar Reciprocal Osteochondral Lesions of the Knee." The American Journal of Sports Medicine 43.3 (2015): 709-14. 8 Jan. 2015. Web. 2 Mar. 2015.