[Autologous osteochondral transplantation (mosaicplasty) in the treatment of femoral condyle defects]

Abstract

Adult articular cartilage lacks the capacity for self-repair. Cartilage defects change articular biomechanics and lead to eventual osteoarthritis and joint destruction. During the past decade, several competing techniques have evolved to stimulate articular cartilage repair. Micro-fracture can successfully treat small lesions of non weigh-bearing surfaces. When the damaged area is more extensive, osteochondral cylinder grafting (mosaicplasty) should be considered. Our experience includes 5 cases with follow-up of 6 months to 1 year. Between 1999 and 2000 an osteochondral transplantation (mosaicplasty) was performed in 5 patients. The defect-size in these 5 patients (2 males and 3 females) ranged between 12 mm and 23 mm in diameter and had an average-size of 15 mm. In the all of cases an average of 7.2 grafts was needed. Preoperative complaints of pain, crepitation and locking disappear. The short outcome in the modified HSS-score has shown excellent and good results. The average score value during follow-up was 93.8 (range 92-96). This outcome forms prerequisite for likewise middle-term-results. Mosaicplasty can be recommended for the treatment of chondral and osteochondral defects in the weight-bearing area of the knee as a safe procedure for transplantation of hyaline cartilage.