Assessment of the functional outcome after arthroscopic mosaicplasty for localized osteochondral defects in the knee

Abstract

Background: 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 (Often refered to as Mosaicplasty). Methods: Twenty four patients were included in this study. Twenty patients were male (Serving soldiers) and four were female with a mean age of 30.5 years (range: 21-46 years). The cause of the defect was trauma accounting for 75% , osteochondritis dessicans 16.66 % and AVN 8.33 % . The sizes of the graft used ranged from 6mm to 10mmn with 33.33 % patients with size 7mm, 25% patients with 8mm. There was a preponderance towards the Right knee accounting for 75% of the total knees. The study revealed the most common site of involvement was medial femoral condyle accounting for 83.33% of all knees. Average length of stay ranged from 5 days to 10 days with 75% of patients who were discharged on the 05th postoperative day. Incidence of concomitant other injuries to the knee were 83.33%. Results: Based on Tegner and Lysholm scoring scale at the end of 24 months 91.66% patients had excellent results with 8.33% patients with fair results. No correlation was found between patient age at operation, the size or site of the chondral lesion and the functional outcome. Conclusion: 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 the patient's future options.