Aims

The free latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) flap represents a workhorse procedure in the field of trauma and plastic surgery. However, only a small number of studies have examined this large group of patients with regard to the morbidity of flap harvest. The aim of this prospective study was therefore to objectively investigate the morbidity of a free LDM flap.

Aim: To compare the donor site morbidity after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using ipsilateral and contralateral bone-patellar-tendon (BPT) autograft. Patients and Method: 100 patients underwent ACL- reconstruction with autologous BPT graft between 1997 and 1999. ACL-reconstruction was performed using ipsilateral (n= 52) and contralateral (n= 48) BPT-autograft. The average follow-up was 39,2 months. Donor site morbidity was evaluated by using a questionaire, computerised historical data, KT-2000 measurments, Cincinnati- (CKS) and Tegner-Score. Results: KT-2000 evaluation showed an average side to side difference of 0,6 mm in both groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups concerning CKS or Tegner-Score. In the ipsilateral donor knee, 59,6% of the patients had local tenderness, 69,2% kneeling-pain, 76,9% knee-walking-pain and 75% numbness. In the contralateral donor knee, 58,3% of the patients had local tenderness, 70,8% kneeling-pain, 70,8% knee-walking-pain and 85,4% numbness. In the ACL reconstructed knee 6,3% had local tenderness,6,3% kneeling-pain, 10,4% knee-walking-pain and 64,6% numbness. There was one rupture of the patellar tendon and one patient with chronic patellar tendinitis. Conclusion: The contralateral BPT graft appears to present no advantage over the ipsilateral as all symptoms concerning donor site morbidity are shifted from the injured into the healthy knee and return to activity is not more rapid

Aim: To evaluate activity level and remaining symptoms concerning the donor site morbidity in patients having anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLreconstruction) with either ipsilateral or contralateral bone-patellar-tendon graft (BPT-graft). Methods: 100 patients aged from 18 to 49 years (mean 34) having an ACL-reconstruction with BPT-graft (with one bone block) from 1997 to 1999 were included in this study. In 52 of them a BPT-graft from the ipsilateral side was used (Group I). In 48 the contralateral BPT was used (Group II). A questionaire, including Cincinnati-, Tegner-activity score and special questions concerning persisting symptoms at the donor site, such as tenderness, numbness, kneeling pain and knee-walking pain, was sent to all patients. Results: The average Cincinnati Scoring was 85,2 in Group I and 86,3 in Group II. There was no statistical significance in Tegner scoring between the two groups. In Group I, 37,5% of the patients refered local tenderness, 59,6% kneeling pain and 82,65% knee-walking pain. According to contralateral leg in Group II, 37,5% of the patients refered local tenderness, 52% kneeling pain and 62,5% knee-walking pain vs. 8,3%, 25% and 25% respectively in the ACL reconstructed knee. Conclusions: This study showed that there are no benefits if the contralateral BPT graft is used, because all symptoms concerning donor site morbidity are shifted from the injured into the healthy knee if the graft is taken from the contralateral side

The study describes a technique of tibial autograft to augment posterior instrumented spinal fusion in a population of paediatric patients with severe idiopathic, neuromuscular or syndromic scoliosis who are at a higher risk of postoperative pseudarthrosis and reports patient outcomes in terms of union rate, donor site morbidity and cost. Patients were identified from a review of waiting list and operating room records between 2007–2014. Surgery was performed by the senior author. Information on patient demographics, underlying diagnosis, age at surgery, revision surgery and length of follow-up was obtained from clinic notes. Parents of children were followed up with a structured telephone questionnaire regarding ambulatory status, post-operative pain, infection, further surgery and general satisfaction. Four hundred and nine patients underwent posterior instrumented spinal fusion, during the study period. Forty-two patients’ fusions were augmented with tibial graft, 40 of whom participated in the study. There were no cases of donor site infection, compartment syndrome, tibial fracture or perioperative mortality. In 85% of cases leg pain had resolved within 6 weeks, and 100% within 6 months of surgery. There were 6 cases of revision spinal surgery, 3 for infection, 2 for sacroiliac screw removal and 1 for sacroiliac screw revision. There were no clinical cases of spinal pseudarthrosis in this series. All parents were satisfied by the clinical outcome of both the tibial and spinal surgeries. Spinal fusion utilising tibial autograft is advocated as a simple, safe and cost-effective method of providing significant structural autograft to support fusion for a population of patients with high risk of junctional pseudarthrosis. With the exception of transient post-operative pain, the procedure was without any serious donor site morbidity. The outcomes of this study were as expected and in keeping with previous reports

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anterior knee symptoms after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL) using either pateller tendon (PT) or hamstring tendon (HS) autograft.

Materials and Methods: 45 patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction were randomized to have a PT (23 patients) or a doubled HS (22 patients). Patients were reviewed after 3, 6, and 9 months. Patients were examined for knee pain and sensory changes in the anterior aspect of the knee, the ability for kneeling and sensitivity of the surgical incision.

Results: At the last follow-up in the PT group 4 patients (17%) had anterior knee pain, knee-walking test was impossible for 4 patients (17%), 3 patients (13%) reported to have surgical incision sensitivity and 4 patients (17%) had numbness in the skin area supplied by the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve. In the HS group, 2 patients (9%) had anterior knee pain, knee-walking test was impossible for 2 patients (9%), 2 patients (9%) reported to have surgical incision sensitivity and 10 patients (45%) had numbness in the skin area supplied by the infrapatellar branch of the saphe-nous nerve. There was a statistical significant difference (p< 0.05) regarding the sensory changes in the anterior aspect of the knee.

Conclusions: Harvesting of the PT or HS autograft for ACL reconstruction is associated with a low rate of anterior knee symptoms. Sensory changes following HS harvesting is significantly higher. However, this does not appear to be of great clinical importance without limitation of activities.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to document donor site problems one year after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and to compare the differencies between hamstring and patellar tendon autografts.

Materilas and Methods: Sixty-four patients undergoing primary arthroscopically ACL reconstruction were randomized to have a central third bone patellar tendon bone (PT) autograft (30 patients) or a doubled semiten-dinosus/doubled gracilis (HS) autograft (34 patients). The postoperative rehabilitation regimen was identical for both groups. All patients were examined one year postoperatively. Objective parameters evaluated included pre and postoperative IKDC and Lysholm score, side-to-side KT-1000 maximum-manual arthrometer differences. The Shelbourne score was used to evaluate anterior knee symptoms. Loss of sensitivity in the anterior knee region postoperatively as well as scar sensitivity were also recorded.

Results: Three patients (10%) in the PT group had anterior knee symptoms while only one (3%) in the HS group. The mean Shelbourne score was 98 for the HS group and 93 for the PT group but this was not statistically significant. However, 8 pateints (23%) had disturbed sensitivity in the anterior knee region in the HS group, but none in the PT group and this was statistically significant (p< 0.005). Scar sensitivity was present in 3 patients (10%) in the PT group and in one (3%) in the HS group. No differencies were found postoperatively between the groups regarding IKDC, Lysholm score and side-to-side KT-1000 measurements.

Conclusions: Although,notstatisticallysignificantpatients in the PT group had more anterior knee symptoms and scar sensitivity, one year postoperatively. In contrast, harvesting of hamstring tendons produces significantly more sensory nerve complications in the anterior knee region than harvesting the middle third of patellar tendon. Both grafts seem to improve equally patients’ performance.

Hamstring grafts have been associated with reduced strength, donor site pain and muscle strains following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR). Traditional graft fixation methods required both semitendinosus and gracilis tendons to achieve a graft of sufficient length and diameter, but newer techniques allow for shorter, broad single tendon grafts. This study seeks to compare the outcomes between Single Tendon (ST) and Dual Tendon (DT) ACLR, given there is no prospective randomised controlled trial (RCT) in the literature comparing outcomes between these options. In this ongoing RCT: (ANZ Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN126200000927921) patients were recruited and randomised into either ST or DT groups. All anaesthetic and surgical techniques were uniform aside from graft technique and tibial fixation. 13 patients were excluded at surgery as their ST graft did not achieve a minimum 8mm diameter. 70 patients (34 ST, 36DT) have been assessed at 6 months, using PROMS including IKDC2000, Lysholm and Modified Cincinnati Knee, visual analog scale for pain frequency (VAS-F) and severity (VAS-S), dedicated donor site morbidity score, KT-1000 assessment, and isokinetic strength. Graft diameters were significantly lesser in the ST group compared to the DT group (8.44mm/9.11mm mean difference [MD],-0.67mm; P<0.001). There was a significant and moderate effect in lower donor site morbidity in the ST group compared to the DT group (effect size [ES], 0.649; P = .01). No differences between groups were observed for knee laxity in the ACLR limb (P=0.362) or any of the patient-reported outcome measures (P>0.05). Between-group differences were observed for hamstrings strength LSI favouring the ST group, though these were small-to-moderate and non-significant (ES, 0.351; P = .147). ST (versus DT) harvest results in significantly less donor site morbidity and this is the first prospective RCT to determine this. There were no differences between ST and DT hamstring ACLR were observed in PROMs, knee laxity and hamstring strength. Younger female patients tend to have inadequate single tendon size to produce a graft of sufficient diameter, and alternative techniques should be considered. Further endpoints include radiological analysis, longer term donor site morbidity, revision rates and return to sport and will continue to be presented in the future

Abstract. Purpose. This study aims to compare the clinical and functional outcomes and donor site morbidity of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring tendon autograft and peroneus longus tendon autograft in patients with complete anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Methods. Patients who underwent ACL reconstruction from February 2018 to July 2019 were randomly allocated into two groups (hamstring and peroneus longus). Functional scores (IKDC and Lysholm scores) and pain intensity by visual analogue score were recorded preoperatively, 3, 6months, 1, and 2 years postoperatively. Donor site morbidities were assessed with thigh circumference measurements in hamstring group and ankle scoring with the American foot and ankle score in peroneus longus group. Results. Sixty patients (hamstring n = 30, peroneus n = 30) met the inclusion criteria. The functional scores (IKDC and Lysholm) did not show statistical difference among the two groups at two years follow-up (P- value>0.05). The means values for visual analogue score after two years in the hamstring and Peroneus longus group was 1±0.74 and 1.03± 1.06, respectively. In peroneus longus group, the mean foot and ankle score was 98.63±3.88 (range= 85–100). A significant difference was found in the hamstring group between operated and non-operated thigh circumferences with p- value <0.001. Conclusions. Peroneus longus tendon autograft is an easily accessible tendon for ACL reconstruction and gives comparable functional outcomes as hamstring tendon with no additional donor site morbidity in our study

Abstract. Purpose. Since arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) started, the use of peroneus longus grafts for primary ACL reconstruction (ACLR) was never thought of as there is very scant literature on it. So, our study aims to compare the functional outcome and complications in patients with ACL injury managed by ACLR with peroneus longus tendon (PLT) and hamstring tendons (HT) respectively. Materials and Methods. Patients with 16–50 years of either gender presenting with symptomatic ACL deficiency were admitted for arthroscopic single bundle ACLR and allocated into two groups (PLT and HT) operated and observed. Functional scores (IKDC and Lysholm score), clinical knee evaluation, donor site morbidity (AOFAS score) and thigh circumference were recorded preoperatively and at six months, one year post-operatively. The same post-op rehabilitation protocol was followed in both groups. Results. 194 patients (hamstring n=96, peroneus n=98) met the inclusion criteria. There were no significant differences between the pre-op, six months post-op and one-year postoperative score between the hamstring and peroneus longus groups in the IKDC (p=0.356) and Lysholm knee score (p=0.289). The mean for the AOFAS was 99.05±3.56 and 99.80±0.70 in the PLT and HT group respectively showing no statistical difference, with a significant improvement in thigh muscle wasting among the PLT group at final follow-up (p<0.001). Conclusion. We observed similar knee stability, functional outcome and no obvious donor site morbidity among both groups and recommend that a PL graft may be a safe, effective, and viable option for arthroscopic single bundle ACL reconstruction

Introduction. Significant donor site morbidity (3–61%) has been associated with tri-cortical iliac crest bone graft harvesting and reconstruction of the defect has been shown to reduce it. Chitra-HABG (Chitra-Hydroxyapatite-Bio-active glass ceramic composite) is an indigenously developed ceramic which has been evaluated as a bone graft substitute. Aim. To prospectively validate the hypothesis that iliac crest donor site morbidity is a structural issue and reconstructing the crest reduces its incidence. The study also evaluates the efficacy of Chitra - HABG as a material for reconstructing the crest. Methods. 26 cases of iliac crest reconstruction with Chitra-HABG blocks were prospectively evaluated. Outcome measures were donor site morbidity as assessed clinically and radiological assessment for ceramic incorporation, dissolution, fragmentation and migration. Results. At the end of one year from surgery, 25 patients (96.15%) had no donor site pain. Radiological evaluation showed that ceramic incorporation was complete in 21 cases, partial in three and absent in two. Partial dissolution of ceramic was noticed in three patients and migration in one. Conclusion. The present study validates our hypothesis that the donor site morbidity following tri-cortical iliac crest graft harvesting is probably a structural issue and it can be reduced by reconstruction of the defect. It also highlights the fact that the Chitra-HABG block is an excellent material for reconstruction of the iliac crest defect, as it gets incorporated into the surrounding bone without adverse effects. Significance. Study describes a simple and effective method to decrease iliac crest donor site morbidity. Level of evidence: IV. Study Design. Prospective study. Summary. Prospectively evaluate the efficacy of Chitra-HABG blocks for iliac crest reconstruction

Medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) is the workhorse procedure for correcting varus malalignment of the knee. There have been recent developments in the synthetic options to fill the osteotomy gap. The current gold standard for filling this osteotomy gap is autologous bone graft which is associated with donor site morbidity. We would like to introduce and describe the process of utilizing the novel Osteopore® 3D printed, honeycomb structured, Polycaprolactone and β-Tricalcium Phosphate wedge for filling the gap in MOWHTO. In the advent of additive manufacturing and the quest for more biocompatible materials, the usage of the Osteopore® bone wedge in MOWHTO is a promising technique that may improve the biomechanical stability as well the healing of the osteotomy gap

Introduction. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries represent a significant burden of disease to the orthopaedic surgeon and often necessitate surgical reconstruction in the presence of instability. The hamstring graft has traditionally been used to reconstruct the ACL but the quadriceps tendon (QT) graft has gained popularity due to its relatively low donor site morbidity. Methods. This is a single centre comparative retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients who had an ACL reconstruction (either with single tendon quadrupled hamstring graft or soft tissue quadriceps tendon graft). All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon using the All-inside technique. For this study, there were 20 patients in each group. All patients received the same post-operative rehabilitation protocol and were added to the National Ligament Registry to monitor their patient related outcome scores (PROM). Results. The average age of patients in the QT group was 29 years (16 males, 4 females) and in the hamstring group was 28 years (18 males, 2 females). The most common mechanism of injury in both groups was a contact twisting injury. There were no statistical differences between the two patient groups in regards to PROMS and need for further revision surgery as analysed on the National Ligament Registry. Conclusions. The all soft tissue QT graft seems to be equivocal to quadrupled hamstring graft in terms of patient function and recovery graft characteristics. Further research may be needed to elucidate the long-term results of the all soft tissue QT graft given its recent increase in use

Ankle sprains are common injuries. Most of them involve the lateral ligament complex. 20–40%% of these injuries will go onto develop symptomatic chronic lateral instability (CLI) and require surgical intervention. The gold standard surgical treatment remains the Brostom-Gould. There are however certain scenarios where this may be unsuitable, such as in hyperlaxity, poor native tissue or revision surgeries. In these situations, a reconstruction with some form of augmentation or grafting is necessary. The anterior half of peroneus longus (AHPL) has gained in popularity as an autograft due to its favourable tendon properties, ease of harvesting, and low reported morbidity. This technique has been adopted by the senior author in these situations. Our primary aim was to assess patient reported outcomes and satisfaction following this surgery. Our secondary objectives were to assess return to sports, donor site morbidity and to report any surgical complications. We performed a retrospective single surgeon study on all patients who underwent CLI reconstruction using the anterior half of peroneus longus between 2014 and 2021. Data was collected prospectively. The Karlsson foot and ankle scoring chart as well as a simple satisfaction table were used to assess outcomes. Minimum follow up was 1 year. 44 patients met the inclusion criteria. 23 women, 21 men. The average age was 37.0 (+−13.5). 24 were very satisfied with the surgery, 10 were satisfied, 6 were fair and 4 were dissatisfied. The average Karlsson score improved from 65/90 (34–77) to 85/90 (range 45–90). The average return to sport was 5 months. There was 1 non-surgical complication recorded. There was no repeat surgery for a complication, or recurrent instability and no donor-site morbidity was reported. The results of our study demonstrates that the CLIR using AHPL is a reliable, predictable and safe

Bone defects and fractures, caused by injury, trauma or tumour resection require hospital treatment and temporary loss of mobility, representing an important burden for societies and health systems worldwide. Autografts are the gold standard for promoting new bone formation, but these may provide insufficient material and lead to donor site morbidity and pain. We previously showed that Fibrinogen (Fg) scaffolds promote bone regeneration in vivo (1), and that modifying them with 10mM of Magnesium (Mg) ions modulates macrophage response in vitro and in vivo (2). Also, we showed that Extracellular Vesicles (EV) secreted by Dendritic Cells (DC) recruit Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells (MSC)(3). Herein, we aim to functionalize FgMg scaffolds with DC-EV, to promote recruitment and osteogenic differentiation of MSC. Scaffolds were produced by freeze-drying (2). Ethical permission was sought for all studies. Primary human peripheral blood monocyte-derived DC were cultured, their secreted EV were isolated by differential (ultra)-centrifugation and characterised by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis (3). Bone marrow MSC were used to determine the impact of EV-functionalized scaffolds through migration assays and their osteogenic differentiation was assessed by Alizarin Red staining. Fg and FgMg scaffolds functionalized with EV were characterized. Fg and FgMg scaffolds functionalized with DC-secreted EV were more efficient at recruiting MSC than scaffolds alone. MSC cultured on FgMg scaffolds showed significantly increased calcium deposits, in comparison with those cultured on Fg scaffolds. Fg scaffold modification by Mg promotes MSC osteogenic differentiation, while their functionalization with DC-secreted EV acts to promote MSC recruitment. This renders the FgMg-EV functionalized scaffolds an attractive material to promote new bone formation. Acknowledgments: Work funded by Orthoregeneration Network (ON Pilot Grant Spine 2021, EVS4Fusion). MCT supported by ERASMUS+ program

Although autografts represent the gold standard for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, tissue-engineered ACLs provide a prospect to minimize donor site morbidity and limited graft availability. This given study characterizes the ligamentogenesis in embroidered poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (P(LA-CL)) / polylactic acid (PLA) constructs using a dynamic nude mice xenograft model. (P(LA-CL))/PLA scaffolds remained either untreated (co) or were functionalized by gas fluorination (F), collagen foam cross-linked with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) (coll), or gas fluorination combined with the foam (F+coll). Cell free constructs or those seeded for 1 week with lapine ACL ligamentocytes were implanted into nude mice for 12 weeks. Following explantation, biomechanical properties, cell vitality and content, histopathology of scaffolds (including organs: liver, kidney, spleen), sulphated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) contents and biomechanical properties were assessed. Implantation of the scaffolds did not negatively affect mice weight development and organs, indicating biocompatibility. All scaffolds maintained their size and shape for the duration of the implantation. A high cell viability was detected in the scaffolds prior to and following implantation. Coll or F+coll scaffolds seeded with cells yielded superior macroscopic properties when compared to the controls. Mild signs of inflammation (foreign-body giant cells, hyperemia) were limited to scaffolds without collagen. Microscopical score values and sGAG content did not differ significantly. Although remaining stable in vivo, elastic modulus, maximum force, tensile strength and strain at Fmax were significantly lower in the in vivo compared to the samples cultured 1 week in vitro, but did not differ between scaffold subtypes, except for a higher maximum force in F+coll compared with F samples (in vivo). Scaffold functionalization with fluorinated collagen foam provides a promising approach for ACL tissue engineering. (shared first authorship). Acknowledgement: The study was supported by DFG grants SCHU1979/9-1 and SCHU1979/14-1

Abstract. Introduction. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) can be performed with a number of different autografts including all soft tissue quadriceps autograft. (QT). QT has several advantages including decreased donor site morbidity, reduced anterior knee pain and comparable revision rates compared to other autografts. The primary aim of this review was to assess all complications of QT in adult population. Methodology. A systematic review of the literature was conducted on in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines using the online databases Medline and EMBASE. Clinical studies or reporting on soft tissue QT were included and appraised using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) tool. Results. Twelve studies were eligible, giving a total of 774 cases of QT ACLR. The mean age ranged from 18 to 45 years. The mean follow-up ranged from 12 to 55.6 months. Nine studies report on patients’ functional outcomes with mean IKDC score was 90.9 ±22.6 and Lysholm score of 88.6 ±6.5. Seven studies reported on complications which was overall 12.3% including 4.1% for graft site morbidity. Infection was reported in 0.4% of the patients. Seven studies reported on failure rate which was reported in 5.3%. Re-operation rate for any reason was 3.2 %. Conclusion. All soft tissue QT for ACLR has a low complication rate and revision rate. There is less graft site morbidity

Posterior spinal fusion is performed for a variety of lumbar spine conditions for relief of low back pain. Success relies on an effective fusion. Autograft is associated with donor site comorbidity and limited supply. Allograft has the potential for infection and has limited osteoinductive activity. Bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) have been promoted for use in posterior spinal fusion despite considerable cost and limited evidence to their efficacy. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical response, donor site morbidity and radiologic rates of fusion in patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion looking at the choice of bone graft or substitute. A retrospective review of 141 patients undergoing instrumented posterior lumbar spinal fusion by a single surgeon for degenerative disc disease, degenerative spondylolithesis or lytic spondylolithesis between 2000 and 2005 was undertaken. Patients were contacted and assessed for donor site morbidity and scored with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Radiographs were taken and assessed by an independent blinded radiologist using the Ferguson score. Simple analysis was performed of these results to compare bone grafting techniques. One hundred and forty-one patients were available for review. Fusions were performed for lytic spondylolithesis in 12.4%, degenerative spondylolithesis in 46% and for degenerative disc disease in 41.6% of patients. BMP-2 was used in 19.6%, allograft in 59.8% and iliac crest bone graft in 20.5% of patients. The BMP-2 and non BMP-2 groups were equally spread between the diagnosis and levels of surgery. The overall Ferguson score radiographic fusion rates for these patients was A in 67.9%, B in 17.9% and C in 11.9%. The BMP-2 group patients scored 76.9% (A group) and 23.1% (B group). The non-BMP-2 group scored 57.1% (A group), 23.8% (B group) and 19.1% (C group). The Oswestry Disability Index for patients with BMP-2 improved from 49.7% to 19%, whereas with no BMP-2 improved from 50.0% to 20.9%. Donor site morbidity was not identified as a problem in patients who had an autograft procedure. Over the course of several years a single spinal surgeon’s posterior lumbar spinal fusion practice has evolved as a variety of bone grafting techniques have been trialled in an effort to increase the rate of bony fusion. There was no obvious difference in Oswestry Disability Index score but there was a modest difference in the Ferguson radiologic fusion score for the BMP-2 group. Morbidity in the autograft group was not a problem. These results have confirmed the efficacy of both allograft and autograft in fusion

Objectives. Long bone defects often require surgical intervention for functional restoration. The ‘gold standard’ treatment is autologous bone graft (ABG), usually from the patient’s iliac crest. However, autograft is plagued by complications including limited supply, donor site morbidity, and the need for an additional surgery. Thus, alternative therapies are being actively investigated. Autologous bone marrow (BM) is considered as a candidate due to the presence of both endogenous reparative cells and growth factors. We aimed to compare the therapeutic potentials of autologous bone marrow aspirate (BMA) and ABG, which has not previously been done. Methods. We compared the efficacy of coagulated autologous BMA and ABG for the repair of ulnar defects in New Zealand White rabbits. Segmental defects (14 mm) were filled with autologous clotted BM or morcellized autograft, and healing was assessed four and 12 weeks postoperatively. Harvested ulnas were subjected to radiological, micro-CT, histological, and mechanical analyses. Results. Comparable results were obtained with autologous BMA clot and ABG, except for the quantification of new bone by micro-CT. Significantly more bone was found in the ABG-treated ulnar defects than in those treated with autologous BMA clot. This is possibly due to the remnants of necrotic autograft fragments that persisted within the healing defects at week 12 post-surgery. Conclusion. As similar treatment outcomes were achieved by the two strategies, the preferred treatment would be one that is associated with a lower risk of complications. Hence, these results demonstrate that coagulated BMA can be considered as an alternative autogenous therapy for long bone healing. Cite this article: Z. X. H. Lim, B. Rai, T. C. Tan, A. K. Ramruttun, J. H. Hui, V. Nurcombe, S. H. Teoh, S. M. Cool. Autologous bone marrow clot as an alternative to autograft for bone defect healing. Bone Joint Res 2019;8:107–117. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.83.BJR-2018-0096.R1

Introduction. Scaphoid nonunions remain controversial with regard to optimal management. The objective of this article is to compare our clinical experience in the treatment of patients with scaphoid nonunion using distal radius non vascularised bone graft with that of iliac crest bone graft. Material & Methods. We conducted a prospective randomized study comparing the clinical, functional and radiographic results of 42 patients treated for scaphoid nonunion using a non-vascularised bone graft from the dorsal and distal aspect of the radius (group I), relative to 46 patients treated by means of a conventional non-vascularised bone graft from the iliac crest (group II). All nonunions were stabilized with single Herbert screw. Results. Bone fusion was achieved in 87.1% of group I and 86.5% of group II patients. Functional results were good to excellent in 76.0% of the patients in group I and 72.5% in group II. The average grip power, as well as wrist flexion and extension were similar in both groups. However, the donor site morbidity was much higher in group II (4 cases of hematoma, 6 cases of chronic pain and 1 anterior superior iliac spine avulsion) fracture. No complication was seen in group I. Conclusion. We conclude that nonvascularized distal radius bone grafting yields similar union rate as well as functional outcome as compared to iliac crest bone graft with no donor site morbidity

We aimed to assess the long term results of patients who underwent Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) for osteochondral lesions of the talus. Between 1998 and 2006, 28 patients underwent ACI for osteochondral lesions of the talus. All these patients were prospectively reviewed and assessed for long term results. Outcomes were assessed using satisfaction scores, Mazur ankle score and the AOFAS score, and Lysholm knee score for donor site morbidity. The 28 patients who underwent the procedure included 18 males and 10 females. Follow up ranged from 1–9 years. In all patients, there was an improvement in the Mazur and AOFAS ankle scores and the Lysholm scores showed minimal donor site morbidity. Improvement in ankle score was independent of age and gender. The better the pre-op score the less the difference in post-op ankle scores. Patients were unlikely to benefit with pre-op ankle scores over 75. The mid to long term results of ACIs in the treatment of localised, contained cartilage defects of the talus are encouraging and prove that it is a satisfactory treatment modality for symptomatic osteochondral lesions of the talus. Complications are limited. However, in view of limited number of patients, a multi-centre randomised controlled study is required for further assessment