Autologous osteochondral transplantation (AOT) is an effective treatment for large Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus (OLT), however little is reported on an athletic population, who are likely to place higher demands on the reconstruction. The aim is to report the outcomes of large OLT (>150mm²) within an athletic population. The study population was limited to professional or amateur athletes (Tegner score >6) with an OLT of size 150mm² or greater. The surgical intervention was AOT with a donor site from the lateral femoral condyle. Clinical outcomes at a minimum of 24 months included Return to Sport, VAS and FAOS Scores. In addition, graft incorporation was evaluated by MRI using MOCART scores at 12 months post-surgery. 38 athletes including 11 professional athletes were assessed. Mean follow-up was 46 months. Mean lesion size was 249mm². 33 patients returned to sport at their previous level and one did not return to sport (mean return to play 8.2 months). Visual analogue scores improved from 4.53 pre-operatively to 0.63 post-operatively (p=0.002). FAOS Scores improved significantly in all domains (p< 0.001). Two patients developed knee donor site pain, and both had three osteochondral plugs harvested. Univariant analysis demonstrated no association between pre-operative patient or lesion characteristics and ability to return to sport. However, there was a strong correlation between MOCART scores and ability to return to sport (AUC=0.89). Our study suggests that AOT is a viable option in the management of large osteochondral talar defects in an athletic population, with favourable return to sport levels, patient satisfaction, and FAOS/VAS scores. The ability to return to sport is predicated upon good graft incorporation and further research is required to optimise this technique. Our data also suggests that patients should be aware of the increased risk of developing knee donor site pain when three osteochondral plugs are harvested.

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to examine trends in patient characteristics and clinical outcomes that occur with age as a statistical variable when performing autologous osteochondral transplantation (AOT) for the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT).

Full-thickness chondral defects of weight-bearing articular surfaces of the knee are a difficult condition to treat. Our aim is to evaluate the mid- and long-term functional outcome of the treatment of osteochondral defects of the knee with autologous osteochondral transplantation with the OATS technique.

Thirty-six patients (37 procedures) were included in this study. Twenty-three patients were male and 13 female with a mean age of 31,9 years (range: 18 to 48 years). The cause of the defect was OCD in 10 cases, AVN in 2, lateral patellar maltracking in 7, while in the remaining 17 patients the defect was post-traumatic. The lesion was located on the femoral condyles in 26 cases and the patellofemoral joint in the remaining 11. The average area covered was 2,73cm2 (range: 0,8 to 12cm2) and patients were followed for an average of 36,9 months (range: 18–73 months).

The average score in their Tegner Activity Scale was 3,76 (range: 1–8), while their score in Activities of Daily Living Scale of the Knee Outcome Survey ranged from 18 to 98 with an average of 72,3. Thirty-two out of 37 patients (86,5%) reported improvement of their pre-operative symptoms. All but 5 patients returned to their previous occupation while 18 went back to sports. No correlation was found between patient age at operation, the size or site of the chondral lesion and the functional outcome.

We believe that autologous osteochondral grafting with the OATS technique is a safe and successful treatment option for focal osteochondral defects of the knee. It offers a very satisfactory functional outcome and does not compromise in any way patients’ future options.

Purpose of study: To search and analyse the results of autologous osteochondral transplantation on patients with osteochondritis dissecans of the talus.

Material and method: From 1997 until 2000, 10 patients with 3dr to 4th degree osteochonditis dissecans of the taus were treated with autologous osteochondral transplantation. Their average: age was 33,7 years, and follow up time:32,4 months. Clinical evaluation in accordance with the Finsen classification system as well as radiological evaluation was conducted.

Afterwards arthroscopy with transplantation of autologous osteochondral grafts was performed. An osteomy of the medial malleolus was necessary by 4 patients. Non weight bearing and continuous passive motion for 6 weeks was advised.

Results: The average Finsen score showed improvement: From 3,6 preoperatively to 1 (excellent) postoperatively. Full coverage of the defects was observed at 12 month follow up with MRI in 9 patients and arthoscopically in 3 patients.

Conclusion: This method of treatment presents very good clinical results and sends a hopefull message on the prognosis of the ankle joint in cases of osteochondral damage.

Aims: To compare mosaicplasty with microfractures in the knee joint osteochondral defects treatment. Methods: Between 1998 and 2001 twenty-three patients underwent mosaicplasty and 23 patients (controls) microfracture procedures for the knee joint osteochondral or chondral pathology treatment. Patients were selected and evaluated randomly through ICRS and modiþed HSS scales, arthroscopicaly, histologically, rent-genologicaly and with MRI. Average follow-up was 12,4(range 10–14 months) and 23,6 months (range 22 –25 months). Results: The defect-size in these patients ranged between 12 mm² and 23 mm² in diameter and had an average-size of 15 mm². 22(95,6%)mosaicplasty results were excellent and good at the time of last follow-up. 16(69,5%) in the control group results were excellent and good and 7(30,4%) Ð fair 23,6 months post operations. Modiþed ICRS and HSS evaluations showed statistically signiþcantly better results in the mosaic-plasty group at the 12,4 and 23,6 months (p< 0.005; p< 0.0001) post operations. Last follow-up showed deterioration in microfracture group (p< 0,02). Conclusions: Mosaicplasty can be recommended for the treatment of osteochondral defects in the weight-bearing area of the knee as a safe procedure for transplantation of hyaline cartilage.

Aim: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the results of arthroscopic treatment of chondral and osteochondral lesions of the knee with osteochondral autogenous transplantation (OAT). Methods: Thirty patients with symtomatic cartilage lesions of the femoral condyles were treated with OAT. Inclusion criteria were full thickness femoral condyle defects between 1 and 3 cm in diameter. Grafts were harvested from the superior intercondylar notch and press þt into holes drilled into the defect starting adjacent to the articular cartilage margin. All patients were evaluated both pre and postop with the Lysholm score, IKDC Form and radiological assessment. Second look arthroscopy was offered to all patients independently of their symptoms. Results: The mean follow-up was 44.7 months. The mean Lysholm score signiþcantly improved from 43.6 pre-operatively to 87.5 postoperatively (p< 0.001, paired t-test) with excellent and good results in 25 (83.3%) patients. Using the IKDC assessment 26 (86.6%) of the patients reported their knee as being normal or nearly normal. Repeat arthroscopies have been done in 9 (30%) patients. Seven of these demonstrated complete healing and two partial healing. The histological examination ascertained the presence of viable chondrocytes and normal hyaline cartilage in the completely healed cases. Conclusions: Our study suggest that arthroscopic OAT is an effective method for treating chondral defects of the femoral condyles in selected cases. However, further studies with long-term follow-up are needed to determine if the transplanted area will maintain functional and structural integrity over time.

Aim of study: Comparison of clinical and radiological results of the applied methods.

Material and method: 20 patients with osteochondritis dissecans of the talus were treated. Autologous chondrocyte transplantation was applied to a group of 10 patients (Group A) and autologous osteochondral transplantation to the rest 10 patients (Group B).Group A: Average-age=30,8 years, -follow up time= 33,6 (12–48) months, -lesion size= 20×16,2 (35–15 × 25–15) mm and depth =7 (20–5) mmGroup B: Average –age =33, 7 years, follow up time =32,4 (12–48) months, – lesion size=16,5×15 (25–10 × 20–10) mm and depth=4 (5–3) mm.All patients underwent clinical und radiological investigation and the symptoms were classified in accordance with the Finsen classification. Group A was treated with autologous chondrocyte and Group B with autologous osteochondral transplantation. Osteotomy of the medial or lateral malleolus was necessary by 6 Group A – patients and 4 Group B – patients. Postoperative treatment : Non-weight bearing for 6 weeks, continuous passive motion of the joint, clinical and radiological follow up 3rd, 6th, 12th and yearly basis

Results: Postoperatively the average Finsen score showed for Group A an improvement from 3,5 (very bad) to 1,1 (excellent) and for Group B from 3,6 (very bad) to 1 (excellent). MRI follow up showed defect coverage by 7 patients of Group A and 9 patients of Group B after 12 months. Second look arthroscopy was performed by 4 patient of Group A and 3 patients of Group B showing full coverage of the defect site. Complications: persisting swelling for an average time of 2,7 months in Group A and 4,3 months in Group B. Additionally 10 degrees loss of joint extension in 4 patients of Group A and 3 patients of Group B.

Conclusion: Autologous chondrocyte transplantation as well as autologous osteochondral transplantation present very good clinical results. As methods of articular surface restoration they have their advantages and disadvantages playing an important role in chosing one of them, in combination always with the surgeons philosophy. The existence of these methods is important in influencing the course of the ankle joint towards a good prognosis, in cases of osteochondral lesion. Further investigation is necessary.

Aims: To evaluate clinical and radiological results and to present variant of possible mosaicplasty application for treatment of large osteochondral defects. Methods: Between 1998 and 2001, seven patients were operated on with a large osteochondral defect of the femoral condyle using the cylindrical grafts. The age of the þve male and two female ranged from 19 to 27 years. Initially all of them suffered from an osteochondrosis dissecans which was located at the typical site on the medial condyle of the femur. A cylindrical graft is taken from the medial rim of the femoral trochlea, away from femoropatellar weight-bearing areas, with a cylindrical cutter of the 6–11 mm diameter. The hole of recipient site is prepared with a same cutter less by 1 mm diameter. A next graft is inserted in the same way and can cross from preceding graft. The procedure is repeated 2–3 times. The grafts should cover at least 90% of the cartilage defect. Results: The follow-up study was from 1 to 3 years and showed an improvement from 37 points preoperatively to 87 points postoperatively (Cincinnati knee score). All patients returned to there previous professions as well as mild sports activity. Conclusions: For the operative treatment of large chondral defects at the femoral condyle autologous osteochondral transplantation using the cylindrical grafts with mosaicplasty seems to be a successful alternative.

The osteochondral defect in the knee and ankle joint is a difficult and common problem in young population. The bone-cartilage autologous grafting represents a recently introduced treatment option for osteochondral lesions of the weight bearing articular surfaces of femoral condyles and talus.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the MRI findings, and in particular to find out about the fate and the time needed for the graft incorporation, to assess the continuity, homogeneity and smoothness of the cartilage layer of the transplant compare to the remaining cartilage, to estimate the viability of the graft and to determine the correlation between the MRI findings and the functional outcome.

We performed a prospective study and followed up 33 patients, who underwent osteochondral autografting for defects in both medial and lateral femoral condyles as well as in the talus. The grafts were harvested from the anterolateral region of the ipsilateral knee using an insider rinsing diamond bone-cutting instrument (DBCS). The grafts were implanted using press fit technique.

16(48%) women and 17 men were included in our followup with an average age of 38.4 years (age range-16to58 yrs). There were 20(60%) osteochondral defects in the femoral condyles and 13 in the talus. 13(40%) patients gave a history of trauma. All the patients were followed up with MRI scans between 1 to 4 years postoperatively.

The MRI study illustrated a cartilage contour interruption by 16(48%) patients and 19(58%) had uneven joint surface. 9(27%) of the patients were shown to have homogeneity between the graft and the surrounding bone and cartilage tissues. A subchondral oedema was observed in 2(6%) of the cases. Only 1 patient had a subchondral bone-oedema in the graft-donor site. All the autologous grafts were incorporated by 4 years as proven by MRI scans

The MRI evaluation revealed regular incorporation of the osseous part of the graft in the subchondral bone. On the contrary, cartilage layer integration was less common. The MRI findings did not show any correlation to the clinical outcome. Hangody (2003) reports all grafts to incorporate into the recipient bed and most articular surfaces to have congruency and similar appearance to the surrounding articular cartilage and bone in 6 years.

Despite using very accurate harvested autologous osteochondral cylinders, which fit exactly the defects, match precisely the corresponding chondral and osseous layers and cause no immune reactions, it was shown in this short term MRI followup that the height and the shape of the original articular surface cannot be fully restored. However the relief of symptoms and improved functional outcome are promising findings and define bone cartilage autografting as a currently efficient treatment of osteochondral lesions of knee and talus.

Osteochondral lesions (OCLs) occur in up to 70% of sprains and fractures involving the ankle. Atraumatic aetiologies have also been described. Techniques such as microfracture, and replacement strategies such as autologous osteochondral transplantation, or autologous chondrocyte implantation are the major forms of surgical treatment. Current literature suggests that microfracture is indicated for lesions up to 15 mm in diameter, with replacement strategies indicated for larger or cystic lesions. Short- and medium-term results have been reported, where concerns over potential deterioration of fibrocartilage leads to a need for long-term evaluation.

Biological augmentation may also be used in the treatment of OCLs, as they potentially enhance the biological environment for a natural healing response. Further research is required to establish the critical size of defect, beyond which replacement strategies should be used, as well as the most appropriate use of biological augmentation. This paper reviews the current evidence for surgical management and use of biological adjuncts for treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:164–71.