Is Patient Satisfaction Associated With Clinical Outcomes After Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation in the Knee?

Abstract

Background: The association between patient satisfaction and patient-reported outcomes after cartilage repair is not well understood. Purpose: To investigate the association of patient satisfaction with pain, function, activity level, and quality of life after fresh osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation in the knee. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This study comprised 371 patients (396 knees) who underwent primary OCA transplantation for osteochondral lesions in the knee between 1997 and 2015. Mean ± SD patient age was 31.8 ± 11.6 years, and 62% were male. The majority of grafts (62%) were located on the femoral condyle; the mean number of grafts per knee was 1.5 ± 0.8; and the median graft area was 6.9 cm 2 (range, 1.8-50 cm 2 ). Pain, function, activity level, and quality of life were evaluated pre- and postoperatively via International Knee Documentation Committee scores and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores. Patient satisfaction with the results of the OCA transplantation was assessed postoperatively. All follow-up evaluations occurring at postoperative 1 year or later were included in the analysis. Results: The mean follow-up time was 5.5 years. Overall, the satisfaction rate was 88.1%, and this rate was constant over time. Satisfaction rates varied by diagnosis, age, sex, and anatomic location of the allograft. Postoperative International Knee Documentation Committee pain, function, and total scores differed between patients who were satisfied and not satisfied (all P