Fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation (FOCAT) for definitive management of a 198 square millimeter osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT): A case report

An osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT) is an idiopathic acquired lesion of the subchondral bone that can lead to debilitating sequelae. The causes of OLT’s are still debatable, however, most agree that the etiology is repetitive microtrauma associated with vascular impairment. OLTs are most commonly described in the medial portion of the talus, while lateral involvement is less frequent. If not properly recognized and treated, an OLT may lead to numerous secondary conditions including premature osteoarthritis and functional limitations of the ankle joint. Multiple surgical and non-surgical treatment modalities have been described with varying results. Treatments are usually guided by the patients age, onset of symptoms, severity, and the disease stage according to the Berndt and Harty classification. Recent literature recommends curettage, drilling, or microfracture techniques for lesions which are no larger than 15 mm in diameter and no deeper than 7 mm. On the other hand, for large lesions or lesions that failed from primary bone marrow stimulation, surgery should be considered for autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), osteochondral autograft transplantation (OATs or mosaicplasty), or osteochondral allograft transplantation [1]. This case study examines surgical treatment of an extensive OLT in a 53 year old man who suffered with continuous ankle pain for over 10 years, misdiagnosed as ankle joint arthritis.Level of clinical evidence: Level of evidence 4.     

Arthroscopic osteochondral autograft transplantation for chondral lesion of the tibial plateau of the knee

Arthroscopic osteochondral autograft transplantation is often used to treat chondral/osteochondral lesions of the femoral condyle of the knee. However, arthroscopic autologous osteochondral grafting to the tibial plateau has not been reported. We report the surgical technique and the clinical course of a patient who underwent engraftment by this method. A 26-year-old man developed symptoms of pain and catching in his knee. Arthroscopy revealed a deep chondral lesion, 10 × 15 mm in size, down to the subchondral bone on the posterocentral area of the lateral tibial plateau. The injured cartilage was debrided using a curette and an abrader until normal healthy cartilage bordered the debrided defect. An osteochondral plug, 10 mm in diameter and 20 mm long, the chondral surface of which was orientated 25° obliquely, was harvested from the most peripheral and proximal part of the lateral patellar groove. A bony hole was created in the center of the defect through the tibia using a core reamer. The osteochondral plug was inserted from the tibial window through the bony hole. To enhance the stability of the osteochondral fragment, bioactive ceramic fillers were used to fill the space below the plug. A second-look arthroscopy 10 months after surgery showed that the grafted osteochondral plug was well adapted and integrated into the surrounding cartilage on the lateral tibial plateau.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 17, No 6 (July-August), 2001: pp 653–659     

Bipolar fresh total osteochondral allograft in the ankle: Is it a successful long-term solution?

IntroductionSevere post-traumatic ankle arthritis poses a reconstructive challenge in young and active patients. Although technically demanding and despite unsolved immunological issues, bipolar fresh total osteochondral allograft (BFTOA) represent an intriguing option to arthrodesis and prosthetic replacement. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the outcomes of a series of 48 ankle BFTOA at 10 years follow up and to investigate the rate of survival long term.Methods58 patients underwent BFTOA, of these 48 were available for follow up. The allograft was prepared with the help of specifically designed jigs and the surgery was performed using either a lateral or a direct anterior approach. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically preoperatively, and at a mean 121 ± 18 months of follow-up.ResultsThe AOFAS score improved from 31 ± 11 pre operatively, to 65 ± 25 at the last (p < 0.0005). Fourteen failures occurred, with 70.8% allograft rate of survival. All the surviving allografts showed a reduction of the ankle joint movement, still associated with a satisfactory clinical result.ConclusionThe use of BFTOA represents an intriguing option to arthrodesis or arthroplasty. A satisfactory clinical result associated to a good movement of the transplanted joint is to be expected up to short-mid-term, overtime. Long term, the range of motion (ROM) is progressively decreased up to spontaneous arthrodesis in some cases, still the joint results pain free and patient’s perception is of a well functioning ankle. A deeper knowledge of the immunological behavior of transplanted cartilage is needed in order to improve the durability of this fascinating technique.     

Reconstruction of a Large Osteochondral Lesion of the Distal Tibia with an Iliac Crest Graft and Autologous Matrix-induced Chondrogenesis (AMIC): A Case Report

Isolated osteochondral lesions (OCL) of the distal tibia are rare and lack clear treatment guidelines. With the case we present here, we suggest a novel surgical approach and report the successful use of autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis–aided reconstruction for OCL of the distal tibia. A 29-year-old male patient complained about persisting pain of the left ankle joint and a restricted activity level 12 months after an ankle sprain. Imaging revealed edema of the subchondral bone and thinning of the cartilage above the osseous defect at the lateral distal tibia. The OCL was debrided followed by microfracturing of the underlying sclerotic bone. A cancellous bone plug was harvested from the iliac crest and impacted into the defect. A collagen matrix was then fixed on the defect. After 12 months, the patient was free of pain and returned to full activity. Conventional radiographs at 1 year showed successful osseous integration of the plug and a nearly anatomic shape of the tibial joint line. Delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage scans at 36 months showed an intact cartilage layer over the defect and glycosaminoglycan content, indicating hyaline-like cartilage repair. This case demonstrates autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis–aided reconstruction of large osteochondral lesions of distal tibia to be a promising treatment method. Our aim was to describe the case of a patient with a large isolated osteochondral lesion of the distal tibia treated by a novel operative technique using cancellous bone from the iliac crest and a collagen I/III matrix.     

Surgical repair of osteochondral lesions of the talus using biologic inlay osteochondral reconstruction: Clinical outcomes after treatment using a medial malleolar osteotomy approach compared to an arthroscopically-assisted approach

BackgroundSurgical treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus affecting the medial aspect of the talar dome is typically performed using medial malleolar osteotomy to optimize access. This study compares clinical outcomes of lesions repaired using biologic inlay osteochondral reconstruction in patients who did or did not undergo medial malleolar osteotomy, depending on defect dimensions.MethodsPatients treated for osteochonral lesions of the talus through a medial mallolar approach or arthroscopically-assisted approach were prospectively followed. Assessment tools consisted of the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot score (AOFAS). The magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score was used postoperatively.ResultsData for 24 patients (mean age 34 years, mean follow-up 22 months) was analyzed. Mean preoperative/final AOFAS and VAS in those who underwent osteotomy were 57.7/81.2 and 5.7/1.9 (p < 0.001), respectively. In those who underwent arthroscopically-assisted reconstruction, mean preoperative/final AOFAS and VAS were 54.4/84.0 and 7.6/2.0 (p < 0.001), respectively. There was no difference in mean MOCART score (p = 0.662) for those treated with osteotomy (67.3) compared to those without (70.8).ConclusionsOsteochondral lesions of the talar dome can be treated successfully by biological inlay osteochondral reconstruction technique without medial malleolar osteotomy, with good to excellent clinical outcomes expected. MRI demonstrates good integration of the graft into surrounding tissue.     

关节镜下行膝关节自体软骨移植术后早期个体化康复训练疗效分析

目的分析关节镜下行膝关节自体软骨移植术后早期个体化康复训练的疗效。 方法选取2016年1月至2017年1月在湖州市第一人民医院接受关节镜下软骨移植修复膝关节软骨缺损治疗的37例患者。其中股骨内髁负重面软骨损伤27例,股骨外髁负重面软骨损伤10例;按照国际软骨修复协会标准分级,软骨缺损深度分别为Ⅱ级3例、Ⅲ级34例;34例软骨损伤面积为1.5～3.0 cm²,3例大于3 cm²。术前通过评估建立功能档案,参与康复学堂,制定个体化康复训练方案。术后按训练方案进行早期功能锻炼。采用Brittberg-Peterson功能评定标准评估患者自体软骨移植前后膝关节功能。采用配对t检验比较患者自体软骨移植前后Brittberg-Peterson功能评分。P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。 结果截至2017年1月,37例患者术后随访12～20个月,均无失访。术后12个月行膝关节MRI检查,示原软骨缺损区软骨表面平整,移植骨软骨柱位置良好。经康复训练后,37例患者膝关节Brittberg-Peterson功能评定标准评分平均为(62.2±1.4)分,低于术前(81.6±1.2)分,差异有统计学意义(t＝63.21,P<0.05);其中关节绞锁、关节肿胀、跑步困难、关节疼痛等13项指标较术前均有明显改善(P均<0.05)。 结论早期个体化康复训练对关节镜下膝关节自体软骨移植术后膝关节功能的恢复有显著作用。     

Lactated Ringer-based storage solutions are equally well suited for the storage of fresh osteochondral allografts as cell culture medium-based storage solutions

BackgroundDue to the rising interest in Europe to treat large cartilage defects with osteochondrale allografts, research aims to find a suitable solution for long-term storage of osteochondral allografts. This is further encouraged by the fact that legal restrictions currently limit the use of the ingredients from animal or human sources that are being used in other regions of the world (e.g. in the USA). Therefore, the aim of this study was A) to analyze if a Lactated Ringer (LR) based solution is as efficient as a Dulbecco modified Eagle’s minimal essential medium (DMEM) in maintaining chondrocyte viability and B) at which storage temperature (4 °C vs. 37 °C) chondrocyte survival of the osteochondral allograft is optimally sustained.Methods300 cartilage grafts were collected from knees of ten one year‐old Black Head German Sheep. The grafts were stored in four different storage solutions (one of them DMEM-based, the other three based on Lactated Ringer Solution), at two different temperatures (4 and 37 °C) for 14 and 56 days. At both points in time, chondrocyte survival as well as death rate, Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, and Hydroxyproline (HP) concentration were measured and compared between the grafts stored in the different solutions and at the different temperatures.ResultsIndependent of the storage solutions tested, chondrocyte survival rates were higher when stored at 4 °C compared to storage at 37 °C both after short-term (14 days) and long-term storage (56 days). At no point in time did the DMEM-based solution show a superior chondrocyte survival compared to lactated Ringer based solution. GAG and HP content were comparable across all time points, temperatures and solutions.ConclusionLR based solutions that contain only substances that are approved in Germany may be just as efficient for storing grafts as the USA DMEM-based solution gold standard. Moreover, in the present experiment storage of osteochondral allografts at 4 °C was superior to storage at 37 °C.     

Osteochondral Grafting for Treatment of a Massive Chondral Defect in the Knee of a Young Adult With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficit

We report the case of a 28-year-old woman who underwent osteochondral grafting and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction for treatment of a massive cartilage defect in a knee joint with ACL deficit. Arthroscopy showed a full-thickness degenerative cartilage defect measuring 22 × 35 mm in the weight-bearing area of the medial femoral condyle, a totally resected lateral meniscus, and a loosened ACL. Therefore we performed osteochondral autograft transplantation and ACL reconstruction. Osteochondral plugs were harvested from a donor site in the patellofemoral joint of the contralateral knee and grafted into the recipient site in a “skipping” manner. Arthroscopic examination 1 year after surgery showed good preservation of the grafts and satisfactory bridging of the gaps between the plugs with fibrocartilage-like tissue. A recent follow-up examination, performed 36 months after surgery, has shown an excellent result, with a Lysholm score of 100, an International Knee Documentation Committee score of 95.4, and full range of knee motion with no symptoms. Plain radiographs at that time showed preservation of the medial joint space on the weighted anteroposterior view. No osteoarthritic changes were evident in the patellofemoral joint.     

Matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation combined with iliac crest bone graft for reconstruction of talus necrosis due to villonodular synovitis

We report the case of a 24-year-old driving instructor with osteonecrosis of the talus and a large articular cartilage and osseous defect. The cystic lesion was caused by villonodular synovitis. After magnetic resonance imaging detection and arthoscopic analysis, the defect was filled with a bone graft, followed by matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT) combined with a total synovectomy. In general, lesions similar to the one described in this case are treated using osteochondral autografts, but in our case the osseous defect was too large to perform an osteochondral autograft. Our choice of treatment with an iliac crest bone graft combined with a MACT simultaneously has not yet been published, as far as we know. The patient returned to his former activities of daily living and sport activities, without restrictions or complaints, and with only a slight deficit in range of motion. Morphological and biochemical magnetic resonance imaging 12 months after surgery showed excellent bone healing with no intraosseous edema. The MACT resulted in a good clinical outcome, with 100% defect filling and excellent integration and surface and signal intensity of the cartilage repair tissue, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot score increased from 47 to 79 points.     

慢速梯度降温冷冻保存同种异体骨软骨移植治疗膝关节全层软骨缺损(附三例报告)

目的总结冷冻保存同种异体骨软骨移植物治疗3例膝关节全层骨软骨缺损的手术方法及疗效。方法应用梯度降温冷冻保存的6枚同种异体骨软骨移植物治疗3例膝关节全层骨软骨缺损,2例在关节镜下同种异体骨软骨移植,1例行关节切开移植。膝关节股骨髁关节软骨全层缺损平均面积2.16 cm2。所有患者在手术后第1个月、第3个月时进行膝关节MRI检查,了解移植物与周围骨软骨组织的愈合情况。并于门诊复查时进行Brittberg-Peterson膝关节功能评分,了解功能恢复情况。结果随访4～6个月,平均4.7个月。所有患者术后疼痛消失;无排异反应发生。术后3个月时,MRI检查示术后移植物与宿主软骨下骨整合良好,移植软骨组织结构与内部信号良好。Brittberg-Peterson评分术后6个月比手术前明显降低。结论经梯度降温冷冻保存的同种异体骨软骨移植治疗膝关节软骨缺损早期效果满意。     

Biphasic bioresorbable scaffold (TruFit Plug®) for the treatment of osteochondral lesions of talus: 6- to 8-year follow-up

BackgroundThe ideal treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) is debatable. The TruFit plug has been investigated as a potential treatment method for osteochondral defects. This is a biphasic scaffold designed to stimulate cartilage and subchondral bone formation. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the long-term functional and MRI outcomes of the TruFit Plug for the treatment of OLT.MethodsTwelve consecutive patients treated from March 2007 to April 2009 for OLT were evaluated. Clinical examination included the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle score and the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. MRI scans were optained pre-treatment and at last follow-up. The Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) score was used to assess cartilage incorporation.ResultsMean follow-up was 7.5 years (range, 6.5–8.7 years). The average age was of 38.6 years (range, 22–57 years). The sex ratio between males and females was 3:1 (9 males, 3 females). The mean AOFAS score improved from a preoperative score of 47.2 ± 10.7 to 84.4 ± 8 (p < 0.05). According to the postoperative AOFAS scores 1 case obtained excellent results, 9 were classified as good, and 2 were fair. VAS score improved from a preoperative value of 6.9 ± 1.4 points to 1.2 ± 1.1 points at last follow-up (p < 0.05). The MOCART score for cartilage repair tissue on postoperative MRI averaged 61.1 points (range, 25–85 points).ConclusionsThe long-term results suggest that the technique of Trufit Plug for OLT is safe and demonstrates good post-operative scores including improvement of pain and function, with discordant MRI results. However, randomized controlled clinical trials comparing TruFit Plug with an established treatment method are needed to improve synthetic biphasic implants as therapy for osteochondral lesions.Level of evidence: Retrospective case series, Level IV.     

Combined auto- and alloosteochondral grafts for large defects

A 19-year-old male patient with a traumatic loss of the lateral femoral condyle underwent surgery where combined osteochondral auto- and allograft was used. Biopsy of the grafted cartilage at 1 1/2 years after transplantation revealed complete replacement of the hyaline cartilage by fibrocartilage. In spite of this finding the clinical and functional results were excellent.     

Osteochondral Autograft Transplantation for Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum in Nonthrowing Athletes

In this report, we present the cases of 3 nonthrowing athletes with osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum. Preoperatively, they complained of elbow pain during rhythmic gymnastics, table tennis, and basketball, respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a completely separated osteochondral fragment or a full-thickness cartilage defect. All 3 patients were treated with transplantation of an osteochondral autograft harvested from the lateral femoral condyle. They returned fully to their sports activities within 6 months of surgery. The continuity of the cartilage layer between the osteochondral graft and the capitellum was shown on magnetic resonance images taken at 12 months postoperatively. We believe that osteochondral autograft transplantation provides successful results for nonthrowing athletes with end-stage osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum.     

Osteochondral defects of the upper extremity treated with particulated juvenile cartilage transfer

We present the novel use of particulated juvenile cartilage transfer in the upper extremity. Our patient is an active duty solider with an osteochondral defect (OCD) of the capitellum that he sustained after an improvised explosive devise injury to his left elbow.     

Massive Osteochondral Lesion of the Talus in a Skeletally Immature Patient Associated With a Tarsal Coalition and Valgus Hindfoot

Rarely, osteochondral lesions of the talus occur without a history of trauma. Accurate interpretation of the mechanical load distributions onto the ankle leading to potential atraumatic cartilage damage must always be studied. The published data on the optimal treatment of talar osteochondral lesions in skeletally immature patients are scarce, especially when the lesions are associated with hindfoot malalignment. We describe the case of a pediatric female with an atraumatic osteochondral lesion of the talus associated with a talocalcaneal coalition and a valgus hindfoot, which we consider the first case to be reported. She presented with prolonged bilateral ankle pain and catching during gait of approximately 2 years’ duration with a restricted range of motion, with the pain more excruciating in the right ankle. Radiographs revealed a large osteochondral lesion located at the lateral talar dome. The patient underwent partial osteochondral allograft transplantation, together with hindfoot realignment and coalition resection with a fat graft interposition. At the 2-year follow-up examination, the patient was free of pain in her right foot and ankle, with no signs of radiologic failure.     

关节镜下微骨折术联合自体骨软骨移植治疗膝关节股骨髁大面积软骨损伤

目的探讨关节镜下微骨折术联合自体骨软骨移植(osteochondral autologous transplantation,OAT)治疗膝关节股骨髁大面积(4~6 cm^2)软骨损伤的疗效。方法2016年3月-2017年6月,采用关节镜下微骨折术联合OAT治疗22例膝关节股骨髁大面积软骨损伤患者。其中男16例,女6例;年龄22~60岁,平均38.6岁。致伤原因:交通事故伤8例,运动损伤14例。病程1~6个月,平均3.4个月。股骨内侧髁损伤15例,外侧髁损伤7例;软骨损伤面积4~6 cm^2,平均4.98 cm^2。软骨损伤国际软骨修复协会(ICRS)分级:Ⅲ级9例,Ⅳ级13例。伴半月板损伤18例。术前疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)为(6.36±1.25)分,Lysholm评分为(36.00±7.77)分。结果术后切口均Ⅰ期愈合。患者均获随访,随访时间2~3年,平均2.3年。术后2年时VAS评分为(1.27±0.94)分,Lysholm评分为(77.82±6.21)分,均较术前明显改善(t=16.595,P=0.000;t=21.895,P=0.000)。术后2年,MRI显示软骨缺损区修复良好。结论关节镜下微骨折术联合OAT治疗膝关节股骨髁大面积软骨损伤早期疗效较好。     

A 2-staged method for treatment of deep osteochondral lesions of the knee joint

We performed a 2-staged arthroscopic-assisted surgical procedure to treat a patient with a large osteochondral lesion of the knee joint. The osteochondral lesion was too comminuted to reattach; in addition, the underlying bony defect was too deep. In the first stage, autogenous cortical bone was used for grafting the bony defect along with screw fixation. The second stage consisted of screw removal and transplantation of autogenous osteochondral graft overlying the chondral defect. The osteochondral grafts were taken from the non–weight bearing areas of the same knee.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 17, No 9 (November-December), 2001: E35     

Osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum: Autologous osteochondral mosaicplasty. A case report

The etiology of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum is unknown but has generally been attributed to repetitive microtrauma or ischemia. We present a case report of a handball player with OCD of the capitellum. Preoperatively, he complained of elbow pain. CT imaging showed the injury. This patient was treated with mosaicplasty harvested from the lateral femoral condyle. He returned to his full former sports activities within 6 months of surgery. The continuity of the cartilage layer between the osteochondral graft and the capitellum was shown on CT arthrogram images at 12 months after surgery. We believe that mosaicplasty gives successful results with end-stage OCD of the capitellum.