Editorial Commentary: Knee Lateral Femoral Osteochondral Allografts Are Not Recommended for Medial Femoral Condylar Defects: If the Shoe Doesn’t Fit,Don’t Wear It!

Treatment of large articular cartilage defects of the knee is challenging, particularly in young, high-demand patients. Osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation is a viable treatment option, providing fully mature articular cartilage during a single operation while avoiding donor site morbidity. Indications are symptomatic, full-thickness articular cartilage defects >3 cm². Contraindications include a “kissing” lesion of the corresponding articular cartilage surface, uncorrected ligamentous instability, malalignment, peripheral osteophytes, joint-space narrowing, or absence of >50% of the meniscus in the affected compartment. Matching for size and contour is crucial; therefore, we use medial femoral condyle (MFC) allografts for MFC lesions and lateral femoral condyle (LFC) allografts for LFC lesions, and do not recommend LFC grafts for the MFC. Survival rates are 78.7% and 72.8% at 10 and 15 years, respectively.     

Treatment of focal osteochondral defects of the acetabulum with osteochondral allograft transplantation

To our knowledge, treatment of focal osteochondral defects of the acetabulum with osteochondral allograft transplantation has not been described. As with osteochondral lesions of other weight-bearing surfaces, these defects may lead to disabling pain and early degenerative changes. In older patients who fail nonoperative treatment, hip arthroplasty is a reliable option to obtain pain relief and restore function. However, in young and active patients, it may be advantageous to restore joint congruity biologically. The clinical success of osteochondral allograft transplantation in the femoral condyles has been well-documented, with over 25 years of experience. We propose similar treatment principles in the hip joint.This article presents the cases of a 24-year-old woman (patient 1) and a 32-year-old man (patient 2) with hip pain and dysfunction secondary to a focal osteochondral defect of the acetabulum. Both were treated with osteochondral allograft transplantation to the defect using a dowel technique. A magnetic resonance image at 18 months in both cases demonstrated incorporation of the allograft bone into the host acetabulum. At 24 months in patient 1 and 42 months in patient 2, radiographs showed no progressive osteoarthritis. Both patients' Hip Outcome Scores were 100 points each.Osteochondral allografts allow large areas to be resurfaced without donor site morbidity, and these grafts provide an immediate functional joint surface. Although it has not been proven in terms of long-term follow-up, we believe that osteochondral allograft transplantation for focal osteochondral defects of the acetabulum in young, active patients is a feasible option to restore joint congruity.     

Osteochondral allograft transplantation in the knee

Despite significant improvements for the past 20 years in the treatment of full-thickness chondral defects with the use of chondroprotective biological methods (microfracture, autologous chondrocyte transplantation, osteochondral autograft, and periosteal graft), the treatment of large osteochondral defects in young and physically active population is still challenging. Alternatives for the treatment of chondral defects exceeding 3 cm in size are limited, and among them, allografts have been used longer than any other treatment methods with the most favorable results. The success rates for osteochondral allograft transplantation have been reported as 95%, 71%, and 66% at 5, 10, and 20 years, respectively. Factors that adversely affect long-term results include advanced age, allograft transplantation to both sides of the joint, inappropriate loading, osteoarthritis, and osteonecrosis due to steroid use. Today, as a result of improvements in tissue-organ transplantation, increased availability of fresh tissue from donors, and increased demand from patients and physicians, there has been growing interest in the use of osteochondral allografts in selected patients to delay arthroplasty for chondral defects.     

Editorial Commentary: Osteochondral Allografting Is a “Kid-Friendly” Cartilage Repair Procedure

Fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation has been my preferred procedure for chondral and osteochondral lesions for many decades. This is particularly true for patients younger than 18 years of age, where diagnoses such as osteochondritis dissecans, osteochondral fractures, and osteonecrosis predominate, rendering the situation as much a “bone problem” as a “cartilage problem.” In the universe of cartilage-repair techniques, osteochondral allografts are particularly useful when bone defects must be managed. Furthermore, allografts have stood the test of time for safety, efficacy, and durability, even in a young, active population. For me, I don't think twice about using fresh allografts in young patients. I might even have to admit that an osteochondral allograft transplantation procedure for an osteochondritis dissecans lesion in a patient younger than 18 years old is my favorite surgery!     

Meniscal Allograft Transplantation: Indications,Techniques, Outcomes

Meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) has become an acceptable surgical treatment for select symptomatic and relatively young (<50 years of age) patients with a meniscal deficiency. MAT may also be considered in meniscal-deficient patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and/or articular cartilage repair procedure in the ipsilateral compartment. Contraindications to MAT include asymptomatic patients, severe osteoarthritis, uncorrectable malalignment or instability, irreparable chondral damage, active infection, or inflammatory arthropathy. Most institutions prefer the use of fresh-frozen allografts, whereas the use of fresh-viable grafts is limited by their availability, and the use of cryopreserved and lyophilized grafts has gone out of favor. Donor allografts are size-matched to the recipient using x-rays or magnetic resonance imaging measurements. To date, no particular surgical technique has demonstrated superiority. Therefore, there are several used approaches (mini-open or arthroscopic), horns-fixation techniques (soft-tissue, bone-plugs, or bone-bridge), and peripheral suture techniques (inside-out or all-inside). Ipsilateral malalignment, instability, and/or chondral defects should be corrected or repaired if MAT is being performed. MAT survival rates are estimated at 73.5% at 10 years and 60.3% at 15 years. Mean time-to-failure is ∼8.2 and ∼7.6 years for a medial and lateral meniscus transplant, respectively. Significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes is expected following MAT, and 90% of patients will attest they will undergo the procedure again. Reoperation rates are estimated at 32%, with the most common complication being a tear of the meniscal allograft. Many studies reporting on outcomes of MAT are flawed because of low-quality, the use of non-fresh-frozen preservation techniques, and heterogeneity of patients and concomitant procedures. As our knowledge regarding patient selection, graft preparation, and techniques continue to develop, we expect MAT outcomes to improve much further.     

The long-term success of fresh, small fragment osteochondral allografts used for intraarticular post-traumatic defects in the knee joint.

Ninety-two fresh osteochondral allografts were implanted in 91 patients with posttraumatic osteoarticular defects of the knee joint. These patients have been prospectively followed since 1972. An analysis of long-term survival of these grafts has been performed to determine their success rates: 75% at 5 years, 64% at 10 years, and 63% at 14 years. An evaluation was made between unipolar grafts, which involve only one surface of the compartment, and bipolar grafts, which involve both surfaces. The unipolar grafts had a lower failure rate at all time periods compared to bipolar grafts, with 76% survival at 5 years, 69% at 10 years, and 67% at 14 years. While investigating other factors that might affect the survival of the fresh osteochondral allografts, we calculated the influence of the anatomical location of the graft, patient sex, and patient age. There was no meaningful impact on allograft survival by either the location of the allograft or the sex of the patient. However, there was a significant effect on allograft longevity in terms of patient age, with patients under age 60 doing better. The best indication for the use of unipolar fresh osteochondral allografts is for posttraumatic defects in relatively young, active patients. Joint malalignment should be corrected to achieve best results.     

Autologe Chondrozytentransplantation

Untreated focal articular cartilage defects may lead to secondary osteoarthritis. Symptomatic full-thickness defects in young patients that are located in the medial or lateral femoral condyle, trochlea, or patella and range in size from 3 cm(2) to 10 cm(2) as well as defects of the ventral talus are indications for autologous chondrocyte transplantation (ACT). Another indication for ACT are cartilage defects for which previous operative measures have failed. Osteoarthritis and kissing lesions are contraindications. Axial malalignment and knee joint instability need to be corrected. Second-generation ACT procedures are based on three-dimensional biomaterials in which the articular chondrocytes are seeded prior to implantation. Randomized trials demonstrate clinical, radiographic, and histologic findings that are similar to marrow-stimulating techniques such as microfracture. Long-term studies are needed to determine the effect of ACT on the development of osteoarthritis.     

High tibial osteotomies in the young active patient

Unicompartmental changes in the knee of a young athlete remains a difficult and controversial problem in orthopaedics. Excessive premature loading of articular cartilage, most often the result of a knee injury, has been shown to result in increased degenerative changes and pain in the younger patient. Instability may also contribute to the degeneration of cartilage and must therefore be considered in the treatment of osteoarthritis in the young adult. High tibial osteotomy has been described as a treatment option for malalignment in the older, less active adult and has shown promising results in a younger, more active population. Osteotomies for instability are more controversial and should be considered in more complex injury patterns.     

Bilateral massive osteolysis of uncertain origin after total knee arthroplasty: A case report and review of literature

Introduction and importancePeriprosthetic osteolysis (PPOL) is a common complication after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and is most commonly caused by wear-induced particles.Case presentationWe report an unusual case of massive bilateral PPOL in the posterior flanges of the femur and patellae 4 years after bilateral uncemented TKA without patellar resurfacing in a 71-year old female. Bilateral staged revision surgery including polyethylene exchange and allograft morselized bone impaction was performed to treat the osteolytic lesions. There were no signs of implant malalignment, polyethylene wear or component loosening.Clinical discussionSeveral factors are associated with an increased risk on PPOL (e.g. polyethylene sterilization method, patient age, male gender). Surgical intervention in the context of massive PPOL should include replacement of a potential particle generator (most often polyethylene), correction of potential malalignment, treatment of bone defects and assessment of implant anchorage.ConclusionThis report highlights the available evidence on clinical presentation, associated risk factors and preferred treatment strategy of massive osteolytic lesions after TKA according to available evidence.     

Osteochondral allograft transplantation in the knee

Fresh osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation has over a 100-year clinical history. Many clinical and basic scientific studies have been performed with the result that allografting is now a part of the "cartilage repair paradigm" for the treatment of chondral or osteochondral lesions. In the knee joint, allografting has also been successfully used in complex joint reconstruction for the treatment of osteonecrosis, fracture malunion, and selected cases of osteoarthritis. Unlike many other cartilage repair techniques, OCA have the ability to restore mature, hyaline articular cartilage to the affected area. By virtue of their composite structure (cartilage and bone), allografts also can restore diseased or damaged bone often present in large or complex lesions. Nevertheless, OCA present unique and important difficulties in their clinical application, such as allograft tissue availability, safety issues, and immunologic response to the graft. Ongoing investigations continue to clarify the indications, surgical techniques, and clinical outcomes of fresh OCA.     

Allogene Meniskustransplantation

Loss of meniscal cartilage leads to degenerative arthritis. Therefore, it is important to save the meniscus whenever possible. But not all damaged menisci can be treated by partial resection or repair. The concept of meniscal transplantation has been suggested and has been become more common in recent years. Meniscal transplantation should be considered for the young patient who has not developed advanced osteoarthritis. Ligament stability and normal knee alignment are further requirements for meniscal transplantation. At this time, meniscal allografts provide the best a priori conditions to prevent degenerative arthritis, but the use of allografts includes the risk of disease transmission. Open and arthroscopically assisted techniques have been described. Correct size matching and positioning as well as secure fixation of the meniscal horn are important for successful meniscal allograft transplantation. Even though controlled clinical studies have not yet provided clear evidence that meniscal transplantation prevents degenerative arthritis, pain relief and functional improvement have been found in follow-up studies.     

Reconstruction of severe uncontained bone defects in revision total knee arthroplasty in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

We report on a 54-year-old rheumatoid arthritic female patient with uncontained type-III tibial and femoral bone defects at the time of revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The knee was reconstructed using a structural distal femoral allograft and a stemmed, semi-constrained knee prosthesis. We achieved the re-alignment of a severe preoperative valgus deformity of 40 degrees. Due to postoperative wound complications we had to perform a gastrocnemius muscle flap. At two-year follow-up the patient was free of pain and the Knee Society Score improved from 18 to 156 (p < 0.01). Radiographs revealed no loosening of the prosthetic components and progressive incorporation of the graft. Reconstruction of extensive uncontained bone defects in revision of TKA in rheumatoid arthritis can be managed by structural allografts; however, wound complications in those patients might necessitate soft tissue techniques.     

Transplantation of viable meniscal allograft. Survivorship analysis and clinical outcome of one hundred cases

BACKGROUND: Few medium-term or long-term reports on meniscal allograft transplantations are available. In this study, we present the results of a survival analysis of the clinical outcomes of our first 100 procedures involving transplantation of viable medial and lateral meniscal allografts performed in ninety-six patients. METHODS: Thirty-nine medial and sixty-one lateral meniscal allografts were evaluated after a mean of 7.2 years. Survival analysis was based on specific clinical end points, with failure of the allograft defined as moderate occasional or persistent pain or as poor function. An additional survival analysis was performed to assess the results of the sixty-nine procedures that involved isolated use of a viable allograft (twenty of the thirty-nine medial allograft procedures and forty-nine of the sixty-one lateral allograft procedures) and of the thirteen viable medial meniscal allografts that were implanted in combination with a high tibial osteotomy in patients with initial varus malalignment of the lower limb. RESULTS: Overall, eleven (28%) of the thirty-nine medial allografts and ten (16%) of the sixty-one lateral allografts failed. The mean cumulative survival time (11.6 years) was identical for the medial and lateral allografts. The cumulative survival rates for the medial and lateral allografts at ten years were 74.2% and 69.8%, respectively. The mean cumulative survival time and the cumulative survival rate for the medial allografts used in combination with a high tibial osteotomy were 13.0 years and 83.3% at ten years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Transplantation of a viable meniscal allograft can significantly relieve pain and improve function of the knee joint. Survival analysis showed that this beneficial effect remained in approximately 70% of the patients at ten years. This study identified the need for a prospective study comparing patients with similar symptoms and clinical findings treated with and without a meniscal allograft and followed for a longer period with use of clinical evaluation as well as more objective documentation tools regarding the actual fate of the allograft itself and the articular cartilage.     

The structural allograft composite in revision total knee arthroplasty

Although morselized cancellous autograft or allograft has been shown to be highly successful for management of smaller cavitary defects in revision TKA, structural allografts often are required for large, contained, or uncontained osseous defects. Early clinical results of revision TKA using structural allografts have been encouraging with high allograft-host union rates, as long as adequate fixation is obtained. The use of intramedullary stems with sufficient length to engage diaphyseal bone is recommended to lessen load transmission to the structural allograft and to reduce the risk of late allograft collapse or fracture. Extensive preoperative planning, meticulous operative technique, and an extended period of postoperative rehabilitation are required for optimal     

Use of Osteochondral and Meniscal Allografts from Bone Cuts of Total Knee Arthroplasty for the Treatment of Tibial Plateau Malunions: A Case Series of Four Patients Showing Early Results

PurposeIntra-articular malunion of tibial plateau fracture is a complex problem to treat. We are presenting outcomes of our series of patients of malunited tibial plateau fractures treated with osteo-chondro-meniscal allograft from lateral tibial plateau harvested from patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA).MethodsThe technique was used in four patients. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan was used to match donor and recipient graft dimensions and to measure any malalignment. Patients were evaluated for Visual analogue Scale (VAS) for pain (scale 1–10 cm), WOMAC (Western Ontario McMaster Osteo-Arthritis Index) score, knee range of motion, and limb alignment.ResultsThere were three medial tibial plateau malunions and one lateral tibial plateau malunion. Articular comminution with depression was seen in all of them. One patient underwent concurrent high tibial osteotomy for the elevation of the medial tibial plateau and posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed concurrently in one patient. All patients showed improvement in knee range of motion, WOMAC score, and VAS score for knee pain. Limb alignment improved in all cases. Radiologically there was consolidation of the allograft in all the cases at 6 months. The mean follow-up was 15.2 months (range 12–18 months).ConclusionOsteochondral allograft can be a good choice for reconstructing large articular cartilage defects in tibial plateau malunions. Osteo-chondro-meniscal grafts obtained during TKA can be a viable alternative for reconstructing such defects with excellent early clinical, functional, and radiological outcomes.Level of EvidenceIV.     

Review article: Treatments for bone loss in revision total knee arthroplasty

Bone deficiency hinders implant alignment and stabilisation of the bone-implant interface in revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Treatments for bone defects include bone cement, bone cement with screw reinforcement, metal augments, impaction bone grafts, structural allografts, and tantalum, depending on the location and size of the defects. Small defects are usually treated with cement, cement plus screws, or impaction allograft bone. Large defects are repaired with structural allografts or metal augments. Recent developments involve the use of highly porous osteoconductive tantalum. We reviewed the pros and cons of each method for bone defect management in revision TKA.     

Fresh osteochondral allografts for post-traumatic defects in the knee. A survivorship analysis.

Fresh osteochondral allografts were used to repair post-traumatic osteoarticular defects in 92 knees. At the time of grafting, varus or valgus deformities were corrected by upper tibial or supracondylar femoral osteotomies. A survivorship analysis was performed in which failure was defined as the need for a revision operation or the persistence of the pre-operative symptoms. There was a 75% success rate at five years, 64% at ten years and 63% at 14 years. The failure rate was higher for bipolar grafts than for unipolar and the results in patients over the age of 60 years were poor. The outcome did not depend on the sex of the patient and the results of allografts in the medial and lateral compartments of the knee were similar. Careful patient selection, correction of joint malalignment by osteotomy, and rigid fixation of the graft are all mandatory requirements for success. We recommend this method for the treatment of post-traumatic osteochondral defects in the knees of relatively young and active patients.     

Articular cartilage transplantation. Clinical results in the knee

Between December 1983 and August 1991, 55 consecutive patients (55 knees) who underwent articular cartilage transplantation to their damaged knees were enrolled in the study. Average followup was 75 months (range, 11-147 months). Eight-two percent were younger than 45 years of age. Patients were evaluated through an 18-point scale, with 6 points each allocated to pain, range of motion, and function. An excellent knee was pain free, had full range of motion, and permitted unlimited activity. A good knee allowed full time employment and moderate activity. Eleven of 15 (73%) allografts transplanted 10 or more years ago were still good or excellent at the time of last followup. Overall, 45 of 55 (76%) knees that received the transplants were rated good or excellent. Specifically, 36 of 43 (84%) patients with unipolar transplants regained normal use of their resurfaced knee. The results after bipolar resurfacing were less encouraging, with only six of 12 (50%) knees rated good or excellent. The described technique of osteochondral shell allograft resurfacing of the knee capitalize on the different healing potentials of bone and cartilage by transplanting the viable articular cartilage organ in its entirety along with just enough of the underlying bone to allow for graft incorporation through creeping substitution. The results support the use of fresh osteochondral shell allograft transplantation for the treatment of large, full thickness articular cartilage defects to the medial or lateral femoral condyles and to the patella.     

Total knee arthroplasty in younger patients: a 13-year follow-up study

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a well-established treatment at the end stage of a degenerated knee joint. This operative treatment generally relieves pain, improves physical function, and has a high level of patient satisfaction, especially in the elderly. Younger patients, however, are demanding and have a higher level of physical activity compared to elderly patients. One could therefore expect more mechanical problems such as prosthetic loosening and polyethylene wear after long-term follow-up. The goal of this retrospective cohort study was to determine the survival and long-term results of TKA in young patients. Patients who received a TKA at age 60 years or younger for any reason were included. Minimum follow-up was 10 years. Thirty-nine TKAs (Anatomic Graduate Components; Biomet, Warsaw, Indiana) in 31 patients were included. Average patient age was 52.6 years. There were 3 revisions because of infection; in 1 knee the patella was revised because of aseptic loosening. After an average 13-year follow-up, the survival rate was 89.7% and function scores showed a reasonably functioning TKA. There was no difference in survival rate and function scores between patients with rheumatoid arthritis and those with primary or secondary (posttraumatic) osteoarthritis. Our experience with TKA in a younger patient population has been encouraging. The risk of loosening and wear of the implant in our study is low, and this type of TKA also seems to be an effective and safe treatment for younger patients.     

Meniscal allograft transplantation for symptomatic knee after meniscectomy of torn discoid medial meniscus: Report of three cases

In symptomatic discoid medial meniscus, partial meniscectomy is the principal treatment method and can yield promising short-term results. However, unlike the nondiscoid meniscus, discoid medial meniscus is frequently associated with horizontal cleavage tears, attributable to the presence of myxoid degeneration in the intrameniscal substance, in that it may potentially occur deteriorating long-term results because of re-tearing of remaining meniscus or secondary degeneration of cartilage of the medial compartment after meniscectomy. We experienced three rare cases of retear or secondary degeneration of cartilage of the medial compartment after meniscectomy for two patients with torn bilateral meniscus. Both patients were highly active young males. Meniscal allograft transplantation in complicated discoid medial meniscus was performed. At 2 years after meniscal allograft transplantation, clinical outcomes were improved with a normal range of motion. Orthopedic surgeons should recommend activity modification to prevent possible complicated injury of the discoid medial meniscus. Meniscal allograft transplantation may be an alternative option in highly active young patients undergoing complicated discoid medial meniscus to diminish pain, improve knee function, and prevent or delay degeneration.