Autologous osteochondral transplantation

Abstract

Focal cartilage defects of knee constitute a challenging clinical problem for the orthopedic surgeon. These injuries typically occur in active patients, can result in debilitating pain, and have a limited capacity for spontaneous healing. Autologous osteochondral transplantation has been advocated as a treatment for focal cartilage defects, as this surgical technique can restore hyaline cartilage architecture and, to some degree, the structural support of underlying subchondral bone. The short- and intermediate-term outcomes following this procedure are encouraging. This chapter serves to review the indications, surgical technique, and rehabilitation protocol for autologous osteochondral transplantation of the knee and provide a comparison of its clinical results to other cartilage restoration procedures. © 2007 Humana Press Inc.