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The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 106-B, Issue 10 | Pages 1100 - 1110
1 Oct 2024
Arenas-Miquelez A Barco R Cabo Cabo FJ Hachem A

Bone defects are frequently observed in anterior shoulder instability. Over the last decade, knowledge of the association of bone loss with increased failure rates of soft-tissue repair has shifted the surgical management of chronic shoulder instability. On the glenoid side, there is no controversy about the critical glenoid bone loss being 20%. However, poor outcomes have been described even with a subcritical glenoid bone defect as low as 13.5%. On the humeral side, the Hill-Sachs lesion should be evaluated concomitantly with the glenoid defect as the two sides of the same bipolar lesion which interact in the instability process, as described by the glenoid track concept. We advocate adding remplissage to every Bankart repair in patients with a Hill-Sachs lesion, regardless of the glenoid bone loss. When critical or subcritical glenoid bone loss occurs in active patients (> 15%) or bipolar off-track lesions, we should consider anterior glenoid bone reconstructions. The techniques have evolved significantly over the last two decades, moving from open procedures to arthroscopic, and from screw fixation to metal-free fixation. The new arthroscopic techniques of glenoid bone reconstruction procedures allow precise positioning of the graft, identification, and treatment of concomitant injuries with low morbidity and faster recovery. Given the problems associated with bone resorption and metal hardware protrusion, the new metal-free techniques for Latarjet or free bone block procedures seem a good solution to avoid these complications, although no long-term data are yet available.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(10):1100–1110.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 106-B, Issue 7 | Pages 662 - 668
1 Jul 2024
Ahmed I Metcalfe A

Aims

This study aims to identify the top unanswered research priorities in the field of knee surgery using consensus-based methodology.

Methods

Initial research questions were generated using an online survey sent to all 680 members of the British Association for Surgery of the Knee (BASK). Duplicates were removed and a longlist was generated from this scoping exercise by a panel of 13 experts from across the UK who provided oversight of the process. A modified Delphi process was used to refine the questions and determine a final list. To rank the final list of questions, each question was scored between one (low importance) and ten (high importance) in order to produce the final list.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 104-B, Issue SUPP_12 | Pages 74 - 74
1 Dec 2022
Changoor A Suderman R Wood B Grynpas M Hurtig M Kuzyk P
Full Access

Large cartilage lesions in younger patients can be treated by fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation, a surgical technique that relies on stable initial fixation and a minimum chondrocyte viability of 70% in the donor tissue to be successful. The Missouri Osteochondral Allograft Preservation System (MOPS) may extend the time when stored osteochondral tissues remain viable. This study aimed to provide an independent evaluation of MOPS storage by evaluating chondrocyte viability, chondrocyte metabolism, and the cartilage extracellular matrix using an ovine model. Femoral condyles from twelve female Arcott sheep (6 years, 70 ± 15 kg) were assigned to storage times of 0 (control), 14, 28, or 56 days. Sheep were assigned to standard of care [SOC, Lactated Ringer's solution, cefazolin (1 g/L), bacitracin (50,000 U/L), 4°C storage] or MOPS [proprietary media, 22-25°C storage]. Samples underwent weekly media changes. Chondrocyte viability was assessed using Calcein AM/Ethidium Homodimer and reported as percent live cells and viable cell density (VCD). Metabolism was evaluated with the Alamar blue assay and reported as Relative Fluorescent Units (RFU)/mg. Electromechanical properties were measured with the Arthro-BST, a device used to non-destructively compress cartilage and calculate a quantitative parameter (QP) that is inversely proportional to stiffness. Proteoglycan content was quantified using the dimethylmethylene blue assay of digested cartilage and distribution visualized by Safranin-O/Fast Green staining of histological sections. A two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc were performed. Compared to controls, MOPS samples had fewer live cells (p=0.0002) and lower VCD (p=0.0004) after 56 days of storage, while SOC samples had fewer live cells (p=0.0004, 28 days; p=0.0002, 56 days) and lower VCD (p=0.0002, 28 days; p=0.0001, 56 days) after both 28 and 56 days (Table 1). At 14 days, the percentage of viable cells in SOC samples were statistically the same as controls but VCD was lower (p=0.0197). Cell metabolism in MOPS samples remained the same over the study duration but SOC had lower RFU/mg after 28 (p=0.0005) and 56 (p=0.0001) days in storage compared to controls. These data show that MOPS maintained viability up to 28 days yet metabolism was sustained for 56 days, suggesting that the conditions provided by MOPS storage allowed fewer cells to achieve the same metabolic levels as fresh cartilage. Electromechanical QP measurements revealed no differences between storage methods at any individual time point. QP data could not be used to interpret changes over time because a mix of medial and lateral condyles were used and they have intrinsically different properties. Proteoglycan content in MOPS samples remained the same over time but SOC was significantly lower after 56 days (p=0.0086) compared to controls. Safranin-O/Fast Green showed proteoglycan diminished gradually beginning at the articular surface and progressing towards bone in SOC samples, while MOPS maintained proteoglycan over the study duration (Figure 1). MOPS exhibited superior viability, metabolic activity and proteoglycan retention compared to SOC, but did not maintain viability for 56 days. Elucidating the effects of prolonged MOPS storage on cartilage properties supports efforts to increase the supply of fresh osteochondral allografts for clinical use. For any figures or tables, please contact the authors directly


Bone & Joint 360
Vol. 10, Issue 5 | Pages 18 - 20
1 Oct 2021


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 10, Issue 1 | Pages 10 - 21
1 Jan 2021
Zong Z Zhang X Yang Z Yuan W Huang J Lin W Chen T Yu J Chen J Cui L Li G Wei B Lin S

Aims

Ageing-related incompetence becomes a major hurdle for the clinical translation of adult stem cells in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). This study aims to investigate the effect of stepwise preconditioning on cellular behaviours in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) from ageing patients, and to verify their therapeutic effect in an OA animal model.

Methods

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from ageing patients and preconditioned with chondrogenic differentiation medium, followed by normal growth medium. Cellular assays including Bromodeoxyuridine / 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR), β-Gal, Rosette forming, and histological staining were compared in the manipulated human mesenchymal stem cells (hM-MSCs) and their controls. The anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) rabbit models were locally injected with two millions, four millions, or eight millions of hM-MSCs or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoring was performed to measure the pathological changes in the affected joints after staining. Micro-CT analysis was conducted to determine the microstructural changes in subchondral bone.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 101-B, Issue 1_Supple_A | Pages 46 - 52
1 Jan 2019
León SA Mei XY Safir OA Gross AE Kuzyk PR

Aims. The aim of this study was to report the outcome of femoral condylar fresh osteochondral allografts (FOCA) with concomitant realignment osteotomy with a focus on graft survivorship, complications, reoperation, and function. Patients and Methods. We identified 60 patients (16 women, 44 men) who underwent unipolar femoral condylar FOCA with concomitant realignment between 1972 and 2012. The mean age of the patients was 28.9 years (10 to 62) and the mean follow-up was 11.4 years (2 to 35). Failure was defined as conversion to total knee arthroplasty, revision allograft, or graft removal. Clinical outcome was evaluated using the modified Hospital for Special Surgery (mHSS) score. Results. A total of 14 grafts (23.3%) failed at a mean of 8.6 years (1.4 to 20.1). Graft survivorship was 87.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 79.0 to 96.6), 85.0% (95% CI 75.8 to 95.3), 74.8% (95% CI 62.2 to 90.0), 65.2% (95% CI 49.9 to 85.2), and 59.8% (95% CI 43.5 to 82.1) at five, ten, 15, 20, and 25 years, respectively. A total of 23 patients (38.3%) developed complications, and 26 (43.3%) had a further operation. Persistent postoperative malalignment occurred more frequently in failed grafts (28.6% vs 4.3%; p = 0.023), and was a risk factor for graft failure (hazard ratio 6.55; 95% CI 1.61 27.71; p = 0.009). The mean mHSS score improved from 74.1 (40 to 91) preoperatively to 89.0 (66 to 100) at final follow-up (p < 0.001). Conclusion. Femoral condylar FOCA with concomitant realignment osteotomy provides excellent long-term graft survival and reliable functional improvement. Persistent malalignment may increase the risk for graft failure


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 7, Issue 5 | Pages 336 - 342
1 May 2018
Hotham WE Malviya A

This systematic review examines the current literature regarding surgical techniques for restoring articular cartilage in the hip, from the older microfracture techniques involving perforation to the subchondral bone, to adaptations of this technique using nanofractures and scaffolds. This review discusses the autologous and allograft transfer systems and the autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) technique, as well as a summary of the previously discussed techniques, which could become common practice for restoring articular cartilage, thus reducing the need for total hip arthroplasty. Using the British Medical Journal Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (BMJ GRADE) system and Grade system. Comparison of the studies discussed shows that microfracture has the greatest quantity and quality of research, whereas the newer AMIC technique requires more research, but shows promise.

Cite this article: W. E. Hotham, A. Malviya. A systematic review of surgical methods to restore articular cartilage in the hip. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:336–342. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.75.BJR-2017-0331.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 99-B, Issue SUPP_7 | Pages 70 - 70
1 Apr 2017
Gross A
Full Access

The parameters to be considered in the selection of a cartilage repair strategy are: the diameter of the chondral defect; the depth of the bone defect; the location of the defect (weight bearing); alignment. A chondral defect less than 3 cm in diameter can be managed by surface treatment such as microfracture, autologous chondrocyte transplantation, mosaicplasty, or periosteal grafting. An osteochondral defect less than 3 cm in diameter and less than 1 cm in depth can be managed by autologous chondrocyte transplantation, mosaicplasty or periosteal grafting. An osteochondral defect greater than 3 cm in diameter and 1 cm in depth is best managed by an osteochondral allograft. If there is an associated knee deformity, then an osteotomy should also be performed with all of the aforementioned procedures. In our series of osteochondral allografts for large post-traumatic knee defects realignment osteotomy is performed about 60% of the time in order to off load the transplant. To correct varus we realign the proximal tibia with an opening wedge osteotomy. To correct valgus, we realign the distal femur with a closing wedge osteotomy. Our results with osteochondral allografts for the large osteochondral defects of the knee have been excellent in 85% of patients at an average follow-up of 10 years. The Kaplan-Meier survivorship at 15 years is 72%. At an average follow-up of 22 years in 58 patients with distal femoral osteochondral allograft, 13 have been revised (22%). The 15-year survivorship was 84%. The results for the hip are early. To date we have performed this procedure on 16 patients. Surgical dislocation of the hip is carried out via a trochanteric osteotomy and the defect defined and trephined out. A press-fit fresh osteochondral allograft is inserted using the trephine technique. We have published our early results on a series of 8 patients with 5 good to excellent results, 1 fair result and 2 failures


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 98-B, Issue SUPP_21 | Pages 72 - 72
1 Dec 2016
Heard S Miller S Schachar R Kerslake S
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Chondral defects on the patella are a difficult problem in the young active patient and there is no consensus on how to treat these injuries. Fresh osteochondral allografts are a valid option for the treatment of full-thickness osteochondral defects and can be used to restore joint function and reduce pain. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and subjective outcomes of a series of patients following fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation for isolated chondral defects of the patella. A series of 5 patients underwent surgery using an open approach for graft transplantation. A strict protocol for the allograft tissue was followed. Transplant recipients must be aged <60, have a full-thickness, isolated chondral lesion and have failed previous traditional treatments. The fresh allografts are hypothermically stored at 4°C in X-VIVO10 media for up to 30 days to maintain cartilage viability. Pre- and post-operative clinical measures including knee stability, range of motion, and quadriceps girth were completed. Post-operative plain radiographs were completed including weight-bearing AP, lateral and skyline views. Patient-centred outcome measures including the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and the Knee Society Score (KSS) were gathered a minimum of 1-year post-operative. Descriptive and demographic data were collected for all patients. A paired t-test was employed to determine the difference between the pre-operative and post-operative outcomes. All patients were female, with a mean age of 27.4 (SD 3.65). Knee ligament stability was similar pre- and post-operatively. Knee ROM assessment of flexion and extension demonstrated a less than 10° increase from pre to post-operative. Quadriceps girth measurements demonstrated a mean change of 0.5 cm from pre- to post-operative for the surgical limb. Post-operative radiographs demonstrated incorporation of the graft in 4/5 cases within 6-months of surgery. One patient developed fragmentation of the graft after 18-months, and one patient had a subsequent trochleoplasty for persistent pain. The mean KOOS domain scores demonstrated significant improvement (p<0.05) as follows: Symptoms pre-op = 28.57, post-op = 55; Pain pre-op 28.89, post-op = 57.22; ADLs pre-op = 48.92, post-op = 66.18; Sports/Recreation pre-op = 6, post-op = 32; and QoL pre-op = 12.5, post-op = 42.5. Mean pre-op surgical versus non-surgical limb KSS scores were 107.4 and 179 respectively. The mean post-op surgical versus non-surgical limb KSS scores were 166 and 200. Isolated chondral defects of the patella can cause substantial pain, reduced function, and can be challenging to address surgically. This series of 5 cases demonstrated improved function, KOOS and KSS for 4/5 patients. To our knowledge this is a novel biological procedural technique for this problem, which has shown promising results making it a viable treatment option for young active patients with osteochondral defects of the patella


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 97-B, Issue SUPP_13 | Pages 2 - 2
1 Nov 2015
Romeo A
Full Access

The Hill-Sachs lesion is a bony defect of the humeral head that occurs in association with anterior instability of the glenohumeral joint. Hill-Sachs lesions are common, with an incidence approaching nearly 100% in the setting of recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability. However, the indications for surgical management are very limited, with less than 10% of anterior instability patients considered for treatment of the Hill-Sachs lesion. Of utmost importance is addressing bone loss on the anterior-inferior glenoid, which is highly successful at preventing recurrence of instability even with humeral bone loss. In the rare situation where the Hill-Sachs lesion may continue to engage the glenoid, surgical management is indicated. Surgical strategies are variable, including debridement, arthroscopic remplissage, allograft transplantation, surface replacement, and arthroplasty. Given that the population with these defects is typically comprised of young and athletic patients, biologic solutions are most likely to be associated with decades of sustainable joint preservation, function, and stability. The first priority is maximizing the treatment of anterior instability on the glenoid side. Then, small lesions of less than 10% are ignored without consequence. Lesions involving 10–20% of the humeral head are treated with arthroscopic remplissage (defect filled with repair of capsule and infraspinatus). Lesions greater than 20% that extend beyond the glenoid tract are managed with fresh osteochondral allografts to biologically restore the humeral head. Lesions great than 40% are most commonly associated with advanced arthritis and deformity of the humeral articular surface and are therefore treated with a humeral head replacement. This treatment algorithm maximises our ability to stabilise and preserve the glenohumeral joint


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 96-B, Issue 11_Supple_A | Pages 11 - 16
1 Nov 2014
Khanna V Tushinski DM Drexler M Backstein DB Gross AE Safir OA Kuzyk PR

Cartilage defects of the hip cause significant pain and may lead to arthritic changes that necessitate hip replacement. We propose the use of fresh osteochondral allografts as an option for the treatment of such defects in young patients. Here we present the results of fresh osteochondral allografts for cartilage defects in 17 patients in a prospective study. The underlying diagnoses for the cartilage defects were osteochondritis dissecans in eight and avascular necrosis in six. Two had Legg-Calve-Perthes and one a femoral head fracture. Pre-operatively, an MRI was used to determine the size of the cartilage defect and the femoral head diameter. All patients underwent surgical hip dislocation with a trochanteric slide osteotomy for placement of the allograft. The mean age at surgery was 25.9 years (17 to 44) and mean follow-up was 41.6 months (3 to 74). The mean Harris hip score was significantly better after surgery (p < 0.01) and 13 patients had fair to good outcomes. One patient required a repeat allograft, one patient underwent hip replacement and two patients are awaiting hip replacement. Fresh osteochondral allograft is a reasonable treatment option for hip cartilage defects in young patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B(11 Supple A):11–16


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 96-B, Issue SUPP_12 | Pages 2 - 2
1 Jul 2014
Romeo A
Full Access

The Hill-Sachs lesion is a bony defect of the humeral head that occurs in association with anterior instability of the glenohumeral joint. Hill-Sachs lesions are common, with an incidence approaching nearly 100% in the setting of recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability. However, the indications for surgical management are very limited, with less than 10% of anterior instability patients considered for treatment of the Hill-Sachs lesion. Of utmost importance is addressing bone loss on the anterior-inferior glenoid, which is highly successful at preventing recurrence of instability even with humeral bone loss. In the rare situation where the Hill-Sachs lesion may continue to engage the glenoid, surgical management is indicated. Surgical strategies are variable, including debridement, arthroscopic remplissage, allograft transplantation, surface replacement, and arthroplasty. Given that the population with these defects is typically comprised of young and athletic patients, biologic solutions are most likely to be associated with decades of sustainable joint preservation, function, and stability. The first priority is maximising the treatment of anterior instability on the glenoid side. Then, small lesions of less than 10% are ignored without consequence. Lesions involving 10–20% of the humeral head are treated with arthroscopic remplissage (defect filled with repair of capsule and infraspinatus). Lesions greater than 20% that extend beyond the glenoid tract are managed with fresh osteochondral allografts to biologically restore the humeral head. Lesions great than 40% are most commonly associated with advanced arthritis and deformity of the humeral articular surface and are therefore treated with a humeral head replacement. This treatment algorithm maximises our ability to stabilise and preserve the glenohumeral joint


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 96-B, Issue SUPP_8 | Pages 31 - 31
1 May 2014
Gross A
Full Access

Cartilage repair strategies have been applied successfully to the knee, but only recently and with limited experience to the hip. The indications for these strategies have been well defined for the knee and are defined by the diameter and depth of the defects that are mainly post traumatic and degenerative. Viscosupplementation is an intra-articular therapy that theoretically restores the protective effects of hyaluronic acid. This therapy has been widely used for osteoarthritis of the knee with some early preliminary promising results for osteoarthritis of the hip. Microfracture can be performed arthroscopically or as part of an open procedure. This procedure is indicated for smaller lesions less than 3cm in diameter and 1cm in depth. Widely used in the knee, the results in the hip are limited but promising. The repair tissue is however fibrocartilage. Autologous chondrocyte transplantation can yield hyaline like repair cartilage with good mid- to long-term results in the knee. The indications are chondral defects greater than 3cm in diameter or osteochondral defects less than 1cm in depth. Its use in the hip has been limited with only a few published papers. The procedure requires two stages. The first stage which involves harvesting the cartilage can be done arthroscopically, and the second stage which involves transplantation of the cultured chondrocytes can be done arthroscopically or open. Larger lesions greater than 3cm in diameter and 1cm in depth, can be managed by osteochondral allografts. The published mid- to long-term results for the knee have been encouraging. The results for the hip are early. To date we have performed this procedure on 16 patients. Surgical dislocation of the hip is carried out via a trochanteric osteotomy and the defect defined and trephined out. A press-fit fresh osteochondral allograft is inserted using the trephine technique. We have published our early results on a series of 8 patients with 5 good to excellent results, 1 fair results and 2 failures


The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume
Vol. 94-B, Issue 11_Supple_A | Pages 141 - 146
1 Nov 2012
Minas T

Hyaline articular cartilage has been known to be a troublesome tissue to repair once damaged. Since the introduction of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) in 1994, a renewed interest in the field of cartilage repair with new repair techniques and the hope for products that are regenerative have blossomed. This article reviews the basic science structure and function of articular cartilage, and techniques that are presently available to effect repair and their expected outcomes.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 94-B, Issue SUPP_XXI | Pages 123 - 123
1 May 2012
P. L A. S G. R D. B O. S A. G
Full Access

Introduction. Young, high-demand patients with large post-traumatic tibial osteochondral defects are difficult to treat. Fresh osteochondral allografting is a joint-preserving treatment option that is well-established for such defects. Our objectives were to investigate the long-term graft survivorships, functional outcomes and associated complications for this technique. Methods. We prospectively recruited patients who had received fresh osteochondral allografts for post-traumatic tibial plateau defects over 3cm in diameter and 1cm in depth with a minimum of 5 years follow-up. The grafts were retrieved within 24 hours, stored in cefalozolin/bacitracin solution at 4°C, non-irradiated and used within 72 hours. Tissue matching was not performed but joints were matched for size and morphology. Realignment osteotomies were performed for malaligned limbs. The Modified Hospital for Knee Surgery Scoring System (MHKSS) was used for functional outcome measure. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis was performed with conversion to TKR as end point for graft failure. Results. Of 132 patients identified, 14 were lost to follow-up and 37 had less than 5 years follow-up, leaving 81 patients. There were 29 conversions to TKR at a mean of 12 (3-23) years post-operatively. The remaining 52 patients had a mean MHKSS score of 83 (49-100) with a mean follow-up of 11.7 (5-34) years. The Kaplan-Meier graft survivorships were 94% at 5 years (SE 2.7), 83% at 10 years (SE 4.6), 62% at 15 years (SE 7.4) and 45% at 20 years (SE 8.5). Associated complications included infection (1.2%) treated by 2-stage TKR, graft collapse (8.6%) treated by TKR, osteotomy and conservatively and knee pain relieved by hardware removal (7.4%). Conclusion. Fresh osteochondral allograft is a successful treatment option for large post-traumatic tibial osteochondral defects in young patients, with satisfactory long term survivorships and functional outcomes with acceptable complication rates


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 94-B, Issue SUPP_XXI | Pages 116 - 116
1 May 2012
G. R P. L O. S D. B A. G
Full Access

Background. An osteochondral defect in the knees of young active patients represents a treatment challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon. Early studies with allogenic cartilage transplantation showed this tissue to be immunologically privileged, showed fresh grafts to maintain hyaline cartilage, and surviving chondrocytes several years after implantation. Methods. Between January 1978 and October 1995 we enrolled 63 patients in a prospective non-randomised study of fresh osteochondral allografts for post-traumatic distal femur defects in our institute. Five international patients who were lost to follow-up were excluded from this study. The indications for the procedure were: patients younger than 50 years of age having unipolar post-traumatic defects, or osteochondritis dissecans larger than three cm in diameter and one cm in depth. Results. Fifty-eight patients, ages 11-48 (mean 28) were followed for 15-32 years (mean 21.8 years). Thirteen of the 58 grafts have subsequently required further surgery, with three having graft removal and ten converted to total knee arthroplasty. Three patients died during the study due to unrelated causes and are included in the survivorship curve. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis showed: 91%, 84%, 69%, and 59% graft survival at 10, 15, 20, and 25 years, respectively. Patients with surviving grafts had good function, with a mean modified Hospital for Special Surgery score of an average 86 at 20 years or more following the allograft transplantation surgery. Late osteoarthritic degeneration as was seen on radiographs was associated with lower Hospital for Special Surgery scores representing patients with poorer clinical outcome. Conclusion. The authors confirm the value of fresh osteochondral allograft as a long term solution for articular defect in the knees of young patients. We recommend the use of fresh osteochondral allograft for treatment of large osteochondral defects in the distal femur of young and active patients


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 93-B, Issue SUPP_IV | Pages 581 - 581
1 Nov 2011
Daniels TR Haene R Story R Pinsker E
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Purpose: The treatment of large osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) remains a challenge. Fresh Osteo-chondral Allograft is a method that has been used for the treatment of larger lesions, with the advantage of transplanting living cartilage that is biologically attached to the subchondral bone. The purpose of this clinical series is to prospectively review the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients that have undergone a Fresh Osteochondral Allograft. Method: Between January 2003 and January 2007, 17 feet in 8 male and 8 female patients at a mean age of 35.8 (15–53) years underwent fresh osteochondral talar allo-grafting by a single surgeon. Data was prospectively collected, including preoperative and postoperative AOFAS, AOS, AAOS foot & ankle worksheets and SF-36 scores. Statistical analysis consisted of one tailed student T-test with alpha set a 5%. All patients were followed up clinically and radiographically by x-ray and CT scan. Results: Average follow up was 3.2 (0.9–6.2) years. All scoring systems showed significant improvement postoperatively, except for AAOS shoe comfort scores, and the Mental Component Summary of the SF-36 questionnaire. The AOFAS score improved significantly (p=0.0001) from a mean score of 53.4 (30–71) to 86.3 (72–96). AOS pain scores improved significantly (p=0.0053) from a mean score of 45.4 (8.7–72.2) to 24.1 (4.2–58.9). AOS disability score improved significantly (p=0.0013) from a mean of 53.8 (7.8–77.3) to 25.9 (6.6 – 62.5). The AAOS foot & ankle core scale (standardized mean) improved significantly (p=0.0015) from a mean of 52.3 (21–81) to 80.1 (56–99). The AAOS foot & ankle core scale (normative score) improved significantly (p=0.0016) from a mean of 16.9 (−9 to 40) to 39.5 (20–55). The SF-36 Physical Component Summary improved significantly from a mean of 34.9 (24.2–43.8) to 47.3 (36.6–59.8). There was successful osseous graft incorporation in 16/17 feet (94%) verified on CT scan. Of the 16 grafts which had successfully incorporated, radiographic follow up showed 4/16 feet (25%) had signs of progressive OA and 3/16 feet (19%) had developed new osteolysis around the graft. Conclusion: Although patients’ functional outcome can be substantially improved with the use of fresh osteochondral allografts the early radiographic findings are of concern with 43% demonstrating progression of arthritis or osteolysis of the graft during the process of graft incorporation


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 93-B, Issue SUPP_IV | Pages 559 - 560
1 Nov 2011
Raz G Safir O Lee P Lulu OB Backstein DJ Gross A
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Purpose: An Osteochondral defect in the knees of young active patients represents a challenge to the orthopedic surgeon. Early studies on allogenic cartilage transplantation showed this tissue to be immunologically privileged, showed fresh grafts to have hyaline cartilage, and surviving chondrocytes present several years after implantation. Method: Since January 1978 until October 1995 we enrolled 72 patients in a prospective non-randomized study of fresh osteochondral allografts in our institute. Ten international patients which were lost to follow-up were excluded. The major indications for the procedure were: patients younger than 60 years of age having post-traumatic unipolar defects larger than three cm in diameter and one cm in depth. Results: Sixty two patients, ages 11–57 (mean 28) were followed for 15–31 years (mean 20.4 years). The etiology for the osteochondral defect was traumatic injury to the knee in 41 patients (66%), Osteochondritis Dissecans in 15 patients (24%), and in six patients (10%) due to other pre-existing conditions. Twenty of the 62 grafts have failed, with five having graft removal and 15 converted to total knee replacement. Three patients died during the course of this study due to unrelated causes. The Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis showed: 92%, 79%, 56%, and 49% graft survival at 10, 15, 20, and 25 years respectively, (median survival = 23 years). Patients with surviving grafts had good function, with a modified Hospital for Special Surgery score of an average 88 at 20 years or more following the allograft transplantation surgery. Conclusion: Through this long term study the authors confirm the value of fresh osteochondral allografts as a long term solution for large articular defects in the knees of young patients. The improvement of patients’ outcome compared to the previous published results of our earlier studies could be attributed to improved surgical techniques and increasing expertise of the senior authors. We therefore recommend the use of fresh osteochondral allografts for treatment of large osteochondral defects in the distal femur of young and active patients


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 93-B, Issue SUPP_IV | Pages 586 - 586
1 Nov 2011
Zywiel MG Kosashvili Y Gross AE Safir O Lakstein D Backstein D
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Purpose: The literature regarding the outcome of total knee arthroplasty following distal femoral varus osteotomy is limited. The largest published series to date of eleven such patients suggested that medio-lateral constrained implants are commonly required as ligament balancing is difficult. This study presents mid-term outcomes of patients treated with total knee arthroplasty following distal femoral varus osteotomy at a single center. Method: Twenty-two consecutive distal femoral varus osteotomies (21 patients) converted to total knee arthroplasties were reviewed at a mean follow-up of five years (range, two to 14 years). The mean duration between osteotomy and conversion to arthroplasty was 12 years (range, three to 21 years). In 14 patients (15 knees) the underlying etiology for the femoral osteotomy was primary knee osteoarthritis with valgus deformity, while in seven patients the procedure was performed to unload a fresh osteochondral allograft of either the lateral tibia (five patients) or femur (two patients). It is the authors’ routine to use posterior stabilized implants were used in all total knee arthroplasty surgeries. Femoral stems were used in six knees in which the bone quality was clinically determined by the surgeon to be sufficiently deficient to predispose to periprosthetic fractures, while the remaining sixteen knees were treated with unstemmed components. Modified knee society scores were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes preoperatively and at most recent follow-up. Results: The mean knee society knee and function scores in surviving knees improved from 50 points (range, 10 to 75 points) and 50 points (range, 30 to 70 points) pre-operatively, to 91 points (range, 67 to 100 points) and 64 points (range, 50 to 70 points) at final follow-up, respectively. The mean arc of motion improved from 94 degrees (range, 70 to 115 degrees) to 114 degrees (range, 90 to 130 degrees). Two patients underwent revision arthroplasty for polyethylene wear and component loosening at eight and 11 years following the index arthroplasty, respectively. There were no fractures, infections or wound complications. Conclusion: Total knee arthroplasty following distal femoral varus osteotomy reliably decreases pain and improves knee function. Standard posterior stabilized components provide satisfactory stability after appropriate ligamentous balancing, without the need for stemmed or highly constrained components in the majority of patients


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 93-B, Issue SUPP_II | Pages 104 - 104
1 May 2011
Shepherd A Lincoln M Safir O Backstein D Gross A
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Objectives: Fresh osteochondral allografts are well-established treatment for patients who have posttraumatic osteochondral defects over 3cm in diameter and 1cm in depth of the knee. The objective of our study was to investigate the long-term outcome of these grafts and how long they may delay need for arthroplasty in patients with mal-united tibial plateau fractures. Method: A prospective cohort study of patients who had received fresh osteochondral allografts of the tibial plateau was conducted. 118 patients were identified and survivor ship analysis was performed using conversion to total knee arthroplasty as the end point for graft failure. The Modified Hospital for Knee Surgery Scoring System (MHKSS) was used to clinically assess each patient who had more than five years of follow up. Radiographs were assessed for mechanical axis as well as using the Tonis grade for degenerative change. Results: 29 of 118 (25%) experienced graft failure and underwent conversion to total knee arthroplasty, at a mean of 12 years (range 3–23) after the index procedure. The remaining 52 patients with a successful graft, and follow up over five years, had a mean MHKSS score of 83 (range 49–100) with a mean follow up of 11.7 years (range 5–34). Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis of all 118 patients showed that graft survivorship was 94% at 5 years (std err 2.7), 83% at 10 years (std err 4.6), 62% at 15 years (std err 7.4) and 45% at 20 years (std err 8.5). Factors that predicted a successful graft were, using a meniscal allograft in conjunction with the osteochondral graft, and a lateral tibial plateau defect. The age at the time of surgery was no different between the patients that had a successful graft or those that failed. Conclusion: Fresh osteochondral allografting works well in providing long term treatments for patients with tibial plateau damage. The concurrent use of meniscal allografts is also recommended