Autologous osteochondral grafting in the knee: indication,results, and reflections

The use of multiple autologous osteochondral plugs (mosaicplasty) for repair of articular cartilage defects is a well-accepted technique. Since 1995, the authors have used mosaicplasty to treat more than 110 patients with cartilage defects of the knee, hip, and ankle. The first 52 consecutive patients who had mosaicplasty of the knee and have an average followup of 37 months (range, 24-56 months) were examined. Indications for surgical treatment were osteochondritis dissecans, acute trauma, and posttraumatic lesions of the femorotibial joint, femoropatellar maltracking with recurrent episodes of patella dislocations, and distinct femoropatellar arthrosis. Preoperatively, cartilage defects were classified as International Cartilage Repair Society Grade III lesions in 23 patients and Grade IV lesions in 29 patients. Two years after surgery, an increased level of knee function was found in 86% of the patients. At the latest followup, improved knee function was observed in 92% of the patients. In four patients, reoperation was necessary because of graft failure. Complications and reoperation rate were related to large surface lesions. Autologous osteochondral transplantation is a valid option for the treatment of full-thickness osteochondral defects. However, the method is limited by the defect size and the number of plugs to be taken at the donor site.     

Total knee arthroplasty after high tibial osteotomy

Between 1980 and 1995, 95 consecutive total knee replacements were performed at an average of 10 years 4 months after high tibial osteotomy. The average age of the 82 patients was 66 years, with a preoperative diagnosis of osteoarthritis in 94 knees. One patient died 6 months after surgery. The followup of the remaining 81 patients (94 knees) averaged 8.6 years (range, 2-17 years). Knee Society knee score at final followup improved to an average of 87.6 points from a preoperative average of 38.1 points. No pain was present in 86.2% of knees, and 12.8% of knees had only mild or occasional pain. Tibial radiolucencies were identified in 12 (12.8%) knees at final followup, and in only four knees were radiolucent lines found about the lateral zones. Only one tibial component required revision 3 years after surgery. Although no preoperative factor was identified that predisposed to an inferior knee score, function score, or pain score, the severity of the preoperative flexion contracture and the number of previous surgeries did relate to diminished postoperative motion. However, an increased number of patellar radiolucencies were seen in the knees in which the lateral joint line was raised (referenced from the fibular head) a greater degree. The clinical results of total knee replacement after high tibial osteotomy appeared similar to those of primary total knee replacement. The previous high tibial osteotomy had no adverse effect on the eventual results of a cemented posterior cruciate retaining total knee replacement.     

Autologous osteochondral grafting for talar cartilage defects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of Osteochondral Autograft Transfer System (OATS) for the treatment of symptomatic osteochondral defects of the talus using standardized outcome analysis. Nineteen patients with symptomatic osteochondral defect (OCD) of the talus were treated with autologous osteochondral grafting. There were six men and 13 women. The average age was 32 years (range, 18 to 48 years). The average duration of symptoms prior to surgery was 4.2 years (range, three months to 12 years). All patients had failed nonoperative treatment, and 13 (68%) patients had failed prior excision, curettage and/or drilling of the lesion. The average size of the lesion prior to autografting was 12 mm x 10 mm (range, 10 x 5 mm to 20 x 20 mm). Donor plugs were harvested from the trochlear border of the ipsilateral femoral condyle. Ankle exposure was obtained with a medial malleolar osteotomy in 13 patients, arthrotomy in five patients and lateral malleolar osteotomy in one patient. Clinical evaluations were performed for both the recipient ankle and donor knee using the AOFAS Ankle/Hindfoot Scale and Lysholm knee scale, respectively. The average follow-up time was 16 months (range, 12 to 30 months). The average postoperative AOFAS ankle score was 88 (range, 60 to 100). Most patients had occasional mild pain, but excellent function, range of motion, stability and alignment. The average postoperative ankle score for the 13 patients who failed prior surgery was 91 (range, 84 to 100). The average postoperative Lysholm knee score was 97 (range, 87 to 100). Only two patients had mild knee pain. Postoperative radiographs were available for 13 patients. There was no evidence of graft subsidence and all grafts healed. All malleolar osteotomies united. Seventeen (89%) patients said that they would undergo the procedure again. The results of osteochondral autograft transplant for OCD lesions of the talus demonstrate excellent postoperative ankle scores including improvement of pain and function with minimal knee donor site morbidity. Also, our results indicate that this is an effective salvage procedure following failed previous procedures and for patients with longstanding symptoms.     

自体骨软骨移植治疗膝关节软骨缺损的长期随访

目的:探讨自体骨软骨移植治疗膝关节局限性软骨缺损的临床疗效。方法:选取2007年1月至2008年1月行自体骨软骨移植治疗膝关节软骨缺损的患者15例,其中男7例,女8例;年龄23～45岁。比较术前与术后10年KSS评分。结果:本组15例患者获得随访,时间10.0～10.7(10.2±0.3)年。KSS评分临床总分由术前的38.86±4.09上升至术后10年的85.07±2.19,功能评分由术前的3.33±4.88上升至术后10年的82.67±4.58,KSS总分由术前的42.20±7.84提高至术后10年的167.73±6.29(P0.05);而膝关节稳定性比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。所有随访患者并未出现其他并发症。结论:通过对自体骨软骨移植治疗膝关节软骨缺损患者的长期随访后发现,该治疗方式能够有效改善膝关节功能,减轻膝关节疼痛,是一种有效的修复膝关节软骨缺损的方法。     

Comparison of fixed-bearing and mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasties.

The purpose of the current study was to directly compare the results of fixed-bearing and mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasties in the same patient who had bilateral simultaneous total knee replacements. A fixed-bearing total knee prosthesis (AMK) was implanted in one knee and a mobile-bearing total knee prosthesis (LCS) was implanted in the other knee in 116 patients. The average age of the patients was 65 years (range, 33-70 years). The average followup was 7.4 years (range, 6-8 years). Clinical and radiographic followup was done using Knee Society and Hospital for Special Surgery knee rating systems at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year after surgery, and yearly thereafter. Total knee score, pain score, mean functional score, and range of motion were comparable in both groups. Two knee replacements (2%) in one patient with AMK prostheses were revised because of complete wear of tibial bearing polyethylene. One knee replacement (1%) in one patient with an LCS prosthesis was revised because of dislocation of the medial tibial bearing polyethylene and one knee replacement (1%) in one patient with an LCS prosthesis was revised because of complete wear of the medial tibial bearing polyethylene. No knee had aseptic loosening or osteolysis in either group. After a minimum followup of 6 years, the results of fixed- and mobile-bearing total knee prostheses in the current series are favorable. However, there is no evidence to prove the superiority of the mobile-bearing total knee design.     

An algorithm for the posterior cruciate ligament in total knee arthroplasty.

The fate of the posterior cruciate ligament in primary total knee arthroplasty is controversial. An algorithmic approach is presented that is based on pathologic criteria for evaluating and treating patients with primary total knee arthroplasty that will aid in the posterior cruciate ligament decision-making process, producing more predictable procedures and outcomes. A consecutive series of the first 120 patients (171 knees) who had primary posterior cruciate-retaining arthroplasty and the first 120 patients (180 knees) who had primary posterior-stabilized arthroplasty with a minimum 5-year followup in which the Maxim Complete Total Knee System and the algorithmic approach were used were compared. No statistically significant differences in outcome between the groups were observed. Among the patients who had posterior cruciate-retaining arthroplasty, no revisions attributable to aseptic loosening have been reported at an average followup of 6.39 years. The average followup Knee Society total score was 162.16 points, with 91 (54.8%) knees having excellent outcome ratings. No revisions attributable to aseptic loosening have been reported among the patients who had posterior-stabilized arthroplasty at an average followup of 5.98 years. The average followup Knee Society total score was 158.05 points, with excellent outcome ratings reported in 96 (54.9%) knees. The use of a standardized algorithm has streamlined the treatment of patients having primary total knee arthroplasty, consistently providing excellent clinical results when either retaining or sacrificing the posterior cruciate ligament.     

Debridement arthroscopy. 10-year followup.

The treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee is a difficult problem. In the senior author's opinion, nonaggressive arthroscopic debridement of the knee is an effective procedure to relieve pain and restore function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. A subjective telephone interview of patients done 10 or more years after arthroscopic debridement evaluated the long term results of this treatment in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. The patients all were candidates for total knee replacement who selected arthroscopy as a temporizing procedure. Of the 191 knees in patients undergoing arthroscopic debridement, 77 patients (91 knees) were contacted for followup. Sixty-seven percent of the 91 knees did not have total knee arthroplasty at an average of 13.2 years followup. The Tegner activity score averaged 3.5 and patient satisfaction averaged 8.6 on a 0 to 10 scale. Twenty-one patients (30 knees) or (33%) had total knee arthroplasty at an average of 6.7 years. Seven of these had total knee arthroplasty within 2 years of arthroscopic debridement. Six of these seven knees had Outerbridge Grade 4 articular cartilage changes and clinically significant meniscus tears. Seven of the 19 knees (37%) with Outerbridge Grade 4 changes in 80% of one knee compartment did not require total knee arthroplasty after greater than 10 year followup. The difficulties in long term followup in this patient population is evident, yet the number of patients who had a functional lifestyle after arthroscopic debridement was notable.     

同侧股骨髁内侧髌股关节面自体骨软骨移植治疗距骨骨软骨损伤

 目的 评价同侧股骨髁内侧髌股关节面自体骨软骨移植治疗距骨骨软骨损伤的疗效及相关因素。方法 回顾性分析2009年7月至2012年11月采用同侧股骨髁内侧髌股关节面自体骨软骨移植治疗15例距骨骨软骨损伤患者资料,男8例,女7例;年龄19~73岁,平均(49.6±17.2)岁。采用国际膝关节文献委员会(IKDC)及Lysholm评分系统对供区膝关节术前、术后功能进行评价;采用美国足踝外科协会(Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society,AOFAS)踝与后足评分及视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)对术前、术后踝关节功能及疼痛进行评价。年龄和随访时间两因素分别与各评分的改变量进行Spearman秩相关性检验。结果 12例患者获得随访,平均随访(21.8±10.4)个月。术前膝关节IKDC、Lysholm、AOFAS踝与后足评分及VAS评分分别为(90.91±6.44)分、(95.33±8.00)分、(63.58±18.50)分、(7.25±1.54)分,术后分别为(85.63±11.89)分、(90.75±11.83)分、(90.33±4.98)分、(2.17±1.19)分。术后AOFAS踝与后足评分、Lysholm评分、IKDC评分改变量与年龄之间的相关系数分别为-0.74、-0.63、-0.76。患者对手术非常满意4例(33%),满意5例(42%),一般3例(25%),满意率为75%。结论 取同侧膝关节非负重区股骨髁内侧髌股关节面骨软骨移植治疗距骨骨软骨损伤术后患者踝关节功能恢复良好。患者年龄与术后踝关节、膝关节功能恢复有相关性。     

Total condylar knee replacement: a 20-year followup study.

Between 1976 and 1979, 220 total knee replacements were done on 164 patients using the Total Condylar Knee replacement. The diagnosis was rheumatoid arthritis in 111 knees and osteoarthritis in 109 knees. Patients with 157 knees are known to have died as of December 1998, leaving 63 knees in patients who are still alive. Twelve patients with 18 knees were lost to followup. The average 20-year followup data (range, 18-22 years) are presented for 45 knees in 30 patients using Knee Society evaluations. The average Knee Society clinical score for the surviving patients was 88 points, and the average functional score was 58 points. The radiographic followup averaged 19 years. The average overall alignment was 3 degrees valgus. Femoral lucencies were present in 17 of 40 adequate lateral views, most commonly about the anterior and posterior surfaces. Two femoral components were loose. Twenty-two tibial components had radiolucencies; four radiolucencies were circumferential. The remaining 41 knees retained a well-fixed cemented central peg despite proximal interface lucencies. From the group of 220 knees, 14 revisions have been done at an average of 11.4 years postoperative. Two knee replacements were revised for isolated tibial loosening, whereas one knee replacement had isolated femoral loosening. Three knee replacements were revised for loosening of both components, and one was revised for isolated patellar loosening. Four patients had sepsis develop; three of these four patients were treated with two-stage revision, and one underwent fusion. Three patients were treated for supracondylar fractures. The Total Condylar Knee replacement maintains excellent durability at 20-years followup.     

Late-stage Freiberg disease treated by osteochondral plug transplantation: a case series

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical, radiological and arthroscopic results of osteochondral plug transplantation for late-stage Freiberg disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 4 consecutive cases of late-stage Freiberg disease of the second metatarsal head. All 4 patients were female with an average age of 12. Osteochondral plug transplantation was performed, harvesting from a nonweightbearing site of the upper lateral femoral condyle of the ipsilateral knee. Clinical evaluation using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Lesser Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal Scale was performed before surgery and at the final followup. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed before surgery and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Furthermore, arthroscopic evaluation was performed at 12 months after surgery. The mean follow up was 52 (range 36 to 72) months. RESULTS: At the final follow up, the average AOFAS score improved from 70.8 points preoperatively to 97.5 points. Although MRI at 6 months after surgery showed an obvious but slight osteochondral plug-subchondral bone interface, healing of the osteochondral plug was confirmed at 12 months after surgery in all patients. With respect to the patients' arthroscopic findings at 12 months after surgery, two of our patients had an International Cartilage Repair Society Cartilage Repair Assessment Score of normal and 2 had a score of nearly normal. CONCLUSION: Osteochondral plug transplantation for late-stage Freiberg disease yielded satisfactory results upon arthroscopic and radiological evaluations at 12 months after surgery and clinical evaluation for all four cases.     

The progression of patellofemoral arthrosis after medial unicompartmental replacement: results at 11 to 15 years

This study reports the 11-year to 15-year results of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty with an emphasis on failure mechanisms and progression of patellofemoral arthrosis. In a prospective study of 513 consecutive potential knee replacement candidates, 59 patients (12%) had medial unicompartmental arthroplasty of the knee. All 59 patients had isolated unicompartmental disease without clinical symptoms or radiographic evidence of patellofemoral arthritis. No patient was lost to followup. The average followup was 13 years (range, 11-15 years). The mean preoperative Hospital for Special Surgery knee score of 55 points (range, 30-79 points) improved to a mean of 90 points (range, 60-100 points) at final followup. Patellofemoral symptoms were present in 1.6% of patients at 10 years; this increased markedly to 10% of patients at 15 years (p < 0.01). Four patients (10%) had moderate or severe patellofemoral symptoms at final followup; two were revised to a primary total knee replacement at 7 and 11 years for progressive patellofemoral degeneration. No component was radiographically loose and no osteolysis was seen. The Kaplan-Meier survival with loosening or revision for any reason was 98.0% +/- 2.0% at 10 years and 95.7% +/- 4.3% at 15 years. At up to 15 years, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty yielded good clinical results; however, progressive patellofemoral arthritis was the primary mode of failure.     

Primary constrained condylar knee arthroplasty for the arthritic valgus knee

The purpose of the current study was to review results of primary constrained condylar knee arthroplasty in elderly patients with genu valgum deformity. The hypotheses were: (1) constraint has no adverse effects in elderly patients; (2) treating deformity with a constrained condylar knee prosthesis in lieu of lateral ligament release avoids morbidity, particularly peroneal nerve palsy and flexion instability; and (3) press-fit noncemented stem extensions enhance fixation of the cemented core components and are not prone to loosening. Between 1988 and 1993, 44 consecutive primary Constrained Condylar Knee prostheses were implanted in 37 patients (average age, 72.7 years) with an average valgus angle of 17.6 degrees. Indications for the Constrained Condylar Knee implant were: elderly patients with genu valgum deformity and medial collateral ligament incompetence. Outcome was assessed prospectively using the Hospital for Special Surgery and Knee Society scoring systems; followup was by independent observer. Clinical and radiographic followup (average, 7.8 years) was available for 28 knees (26 patients). The Hospital for Special Surgery score improved from 52.2 to 89.6 points. The average Knee Society score and functional scores improved from 27.4 and 32.4 points to 95.2 and 67.2 points, respectively. At followup, the average alignment based on anteroposterior radiographs obtained with the patient weightbearing was 5.3 degrees. No radiographic loosening, prosthetic failures, peroneal nerve palsies, or flexion instability occurred. No failures occurred in the 11 patients (16 knees) who died before the latest followup. To the authors' knowledge, this is the largest reported series with the longest reported followup of patients with primary Constrained Condylar Knee prostheses. The use of the Constrained Condylar Knee prosthesis for elderly patients with low physical demands with genu valgum resulted in significant pain relief and improved function.     

Total knee replacement in previous recipients of fresh osteochondral allograft transplants

BACKGROUND: Fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation is a treatment option for young patients with osteochondral lesions of the knee. The present study evaluated the surgical complexity of, and the prevalence of complications related to, total knee arthroplasty in patients who had had a previous osteochondral graft transplantation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on thirty-three consecutive patients (thirty-five knees) who underwent total knee arthroplasty from 1974 to 2000 after having had a previous transplantation of a fresh osteochondral allograft into the same knee. The mean duration of follow-up was ninety-two months. Perioperative data were analyzed with regard to etiology, preoperative impairment, intraoperative technical complications, early and late postoperative complications, and postoperative functional and subjective outcomes. The Knee Society clinical rating system was used for clinical evaluation beginning in 1990. RESULTS: Four knees required additional techniques for exposure. Three knees required stemmed components, one knee required a tibial augment, and two knees required morselized grafts. The mean Knee Society objective score (available for eighteen knees) improved from 34.7 preoperatively to 87.9 at the time of the latest follow-up, and the mean Knee Society function score improved from 45 to 82. The mean range of motion of all knees improved from 85 degrees to 105 degrees . Six of the thirty-five knees underwent revision total knee arthroplasty because of aseptic loosening, with two knees being revised within two years after the index total knee arthroplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Total knee arthroplasty after previous fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation provides improvements in knee function and range of motion, with manageable technical difficulties. Compared with routine total knee arthroplasty, an increased rate of early revision can be expected.     

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。     

Results of microfracture in the treatment of articular cartilage defects of the talus

BACKGROUND: The microfracture technique has been used successfully for the treatment of cartilage defects in the knee. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microfracture technique in the treatment of osteochondral and degenerative chondral defects of the talus. METHODS: In a prospective study, 30 ankles in 30 consecutive patients (17 men and 13 women; average age, 41 years; range 20 to 74 years were treated with arthroscopic microfracture. Twenty patients had osteochondral defects and 10 had degenerative chondral defects. Patients were evaluated with clinical examination and MRI preoperatively and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. RESULTS: At a mean followup of 2 years (range 22 to 27 months), 29 patients were available for follow-up. The results for all ankles according to the Hannover Scoring System were 45% excellent, 38% good, and 17% satisfactory. Results in patients older than 50 years were not inferior to those in younger patients. Visual Analog Score revealed an average of 8 +/- 2 for pain (preoperatively 3 +/- 2; p < or = 0.001), 8 +/- 2 for function (preoperatively 3 +/- 2; p < or = 0.001) and 8 +/- 2 for satisfaction (preoperatively 2 +/- 2; p < or = 0.001). MRI and arthroscopic assessment suggested the presence of cartilage in the microfractured area. CONCLUSIONS: At short-term followup, the microfracture technique appeared to repair severe cartilage damage with a good functional outcome. Age was not shown to be a limiting factor.     

The modular segmental kinematic rotating hinge for nonneoplastic limb salvage

From January 1980 to July 1998, 25 patients (26 knees) were treated with an arthroplasty using a Modular Segmental Kinematic Rotating Hinge total knee prosthesis for nonneoplastic limb salvage. The indications included: nonunion of a periprosthetic femur fracture (11 knees), severe bone loss and ligamentous instability (eight knees), nonunion of a supracondylar femur fracture (four knees), acute periprosthetic fracture (one knee), fracture of a previous hinge (one knee), and prior resection arthroplasty (one knee). The average age of the patients was 72.3 years. Twenty-two arthroplasties were revisions. The average followup was 58.5 months. At the latest followup, knee extension averaged 2.4 degrees and flexion averaged 93.6 degrees. The Knee Society knee score improved from an average of 45.4 preoperatively to 75.5. Preoperatively, functional scores averaged 8.6 and improved to 25. Complications occurred in eight patients. The most common was deep infection (five patients). The use of the Modular Kinematic Rotating Hinge for nonneoplastic limb salvage represents a small proportion (0.14%) of all primary and revision knee arthroplasties done at our institution. The indications for the surgery are for a highly complex and small subset of patients. The patients in the current study gained significant improvement in overall range of motion, Knee Society knee scores, and functional scores when this prosthesis was used.