Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® 1/2013

01-01-2013 | Symposium: Papers Presented at the Annual Meetings of the Knee Society

Do Fresh Osteochondral Allografts Successfully Treat Femoral Condyle Lesions?

Authors: Yadin D. Levy, MD, Simon Görtz, MD, Pamela A. Pulido, BSN, Julie C. McCauley, MPHc, William D. Bugbee, MD

Published in: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® | Issue 1/2013

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation is an increasingly common treatment option for chondral and osteochondral lesions in the knee, but the long-term outcome is unknown.

Questions/purposes

We determined (1) pain and function, (2) frequency and types of reoperations, (3) survivorship at a median of 13.5 years, and (4) predictors of osteochondral allograft failure in the distal femur.

Methods

We evaluated 122 patients (129 knees) who underwent osteochondral allograft transplantation of the femoral condyle. Mean age was 33 years and 53% were male. Clinical evaluation included the modified Merle d’Aubigné-Postel (18-point), IKDC, and Knee Society function (KS-F) scores. We defined graft failure as revision osteochondral allografting or conversion to arthroplasty. We determined whether patient characteristics or attributes of the graft influenced failure. Minimum followup was 2.4 years (median, 13.5 years); 91% had more than 10 years of followup.

Results

Mean modified Merle d’Aubigné-Postel score improved from 12.1 to 16, mean IKDC pain score from 7.0 to 3.8, mean IKDC function score from 3.4 to 7.2, and mean KS-F score from 65.6 to 82.5. Sixty-one knees (47%) underwent reoperations. Thirty-one knees (24%) failed at a mean of 7.2 years. Survivorship was 82% at 10 years, 74% at 15 years, and 66% at 20 years. Age of more than 30 years at time of surgery and having two or more previous surgeries for the operated knee were associated with allograft failure.

Conclusions

Followup of femoral condyle osteochondral allografting demonstrated durable improvement in pain and function, with graft survivorship of 82% at 10 years.

Level of Evidence

Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Aubin PP, Cheah HK, Davis AM, Gross AE. Long-term followup of fresh femoral osteochondral allografts for posttraumatic knee defects. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2001;(391 Suppl):S318–S327. Aubin PP, Cheah HK, Davis AM, Gross AE. Long-term followup of fresh femoral osteochondral allografts for posttraumatic knee defects. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2001;(391 Suppl):S318–S327.
2.
go back to reference Brittberg M, Lindahl A, Nilsson A, Ohlsson C, Isaksson O, Peterson L. Treatment of deep cartilage defects in the knee with autologous chondrocyte transplantation. N Engl J Med. 1994;331(14):889–895.PubMedCrossRef Brittberg M, Lindahl A, Nilsson A, Ohlsson C, Isaksson O, Peterson L. Treatment of deep cartilage defects in the knee with autologous chondrocyte transplantation. N Engl J Med. 1994;331(14):889–895.PubMedCrossRef
3.
go back to reference Bugbee WD. Fresh osteochondral allografts. J Knee Surg. 2002;15(3):191–195.PubMed Bugbee WD. Fresh osteochondral allografts. J Knee Surg. 2002;15(3):191–195.PubMed
4.
go back to reference Chu CR, Convery FR, Akeson WH, Meyers M, Amiel D. Articular cartilage transplantation. Clinical results in the knee. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1999;(360):159–168. Chu CR, Convery FR, Akeson WH, Meyers M, Amiel D. Articular cartilage transplantation. Clinical results in the knee. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1999;(360):159–168.
5.
go back to reference D’Aubigne RM, Postel M. Functional results of hip arthroplasty with acrylic prosthesis. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1954;36-A(3):451–475.PubMed D’Aubigne RM, Postel M. Functional results of hip arthroplasty with acrylic prosthesis. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1954;36-A(3):451–475.PubMed
6.
go back to reference Davidson PA, Rivenburgh DW, Dawson PE, Rozin R. Clinical, histologic, and radiographic outcomes of distal femoral resurfacing with hypothermically stored osteoarticular allografts. Am J Sports Med. 2007;35(7):1082–1090.PubMedCrossRef Davidson PA, Rivenburgh DW, Dawson PE, Rozin R. Clinical, histologic, and radiographic outcomes of distal femoral resurfacing with hypothermically stored osteoarticular allografts. Am J Sports Med. 2007;35(7):1082–1090.PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Davies-Tuck ML, Wluka AE, Wang Y, Teichtahl AJ, Jones G, Ding C, Cicuttini FM. The natural history of cartilage defects in people with knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage / OARS, Osteoarthritis Res Soc. 2008;16(3):337–342.CrossRef Davies-Tuck ML, Wluka AE, Wang Y, Teichtahl AJ, Jones G, Ding C, Cicuttini FM. The natural history of cartilage defects in people with knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage / OARS, Osteoarthritis Res Soc. 2008;16(3):337–342.CrossRef
8.
go back to reference Eickmann TH, Collier MB, Sukezaki F, McAuley JP, Engh GA. Survival of medial unicondylar arthroplasties placed by one surgeon 1984-1998. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2006;452:143–149.PubMedCrossRef Eickmann TH, Collier MB, Sukezaki F, McAuley JP, Engh GA. Survival of medial unicondylar arthroplasties placed by one surgeon 1984-1998. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2006;452:143–149.PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Emmerson BC, Gortz S, Jamali AA, Chung C, Amiel D, Bugbee WD. Fresh osteochondral allografting in the treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the femoral condyle. Am J Sports Med. 2007;35(6):907–914.PubMedCrossRef Emmerson BC, Gortz S, Jamali AA, Chung C, Amiel D, Bugbee WD. Fresh osteochondral allografting in the treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the femoral condyle. Am J Sports Med. 2007;35(6):907–914.PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Garrett JC. Fresh osteochondral allografts for treatment of articular defects in osteochondritis dissecans of the lateral femoral condyle in adults. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1994;(303):33–37. Garrett JC. Fresh osteochondral allografts for treatment of articular defects in osteochondritis dissecans of the lateral femoral condyle in adults. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1994;(303):33–37.
11.
go back to reference Ghazavi MT, Pritzker KP, Davis AM, Gross AE. Fresh osteochondral allografts for post-traumatic osteochondral defects of the knee. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1997;79(6):1008–1013.PubMedCrossRef Ghazavi MT, Pritzker KP, Davis AM, Gross AE. Fresh osteochondral allografts for post-traumatic osteochondral defects of the knee. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1997;79(6):1008–1013.PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Gortz S, Bugbee WD. Allografts in articular cartilage repair. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2006;88(6):1374–1384.PubMed Gortz S, Bugbee WD. Allografts in articular cartilage repair. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2006;88(6):1374–1384.PubMed
13.
go back to reference Gortz S, Bugbee WD. Allografts in articular cartilage repair. Instr Course Lect. 2007;56:469–480.PubMed Gortz S, Bugbee WD. Allografts in articular cartilage repair. Instr Course Lect. 2007;56:469–480.PubMed
14.
go back to reference Gortz S, De Young AJ, Bugbee WD. Fresh osteochondral allografting for steroid-associated osteonecrosis of the femoral condyles. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2010;468(5):1269–1278.PubMedCrossRef Gortz S, De Young AJ, Bugbee WD. Fresh osteochondral allografting for steroid-associated osteonecrosis of the femoral condyles. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2010;468(5):1269–1278.PubMedCrossRef
15.
go back to reference Gross AE, Shasha N, Aubin P. Long-term followup of the use of fresh osteochondral allografts for posttraumatic knee defects. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2005;(435):79–87. Gross AE, Shasha N, Aubin P. Long-term followup of the use of fresh osteochondral allografts for posttraumatic knee defects. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2005;(435):79–87.
16.
go back to reference Gross AE, Kim W, Las Heras F, Backstein D, Safir O, Pritzker KP. Fresh osteochondral allografts for posttraumatic knee defects: long-term followup. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2008;466(8):1863–1870.PubMedCrossRef Gross AE, Kim W, Las Heras F, Backstein D, Safir O, Pritzker KP. Fresh osteochondral allografts for posttraumatic knee defects: long-term followup. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2008;466(8):1863–1870.PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Hangody L, Fules P. Autologous osteochondral mosaicplasty for the treatment of full-thickness defects of weight-bearing joints: ten years of experimental and clinical experience. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003;85-A(suppl 2):25–32.PubMed Hangody L, Fules P. Autologous osteochondral mosaicplasty for the treatment of full-thickness defects of weight-bearing joints: ten years of experimental and clinical experience. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003;85-A(suppl 2):25–32.PubMed
18.
go back to reference Hornicek FJ, Woll JE, Kasprisin D, eds. Standards for Tissue Banking. 10th ed. McLean, VA: American Association of Tissue Banks; 2002. Hornicek FJ, Woll JE, Kasprisin D, eds. Standards for Tissue Banking. 10th ed. McLean, VA: American Association of Tissue Banks; 2002.
19.
go back to reference Insall JN, Dorr LD, Scott RD, Scott WN. Rationale of the Knee Society clinical rating system. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1989;(248):13–14. Insall JN, Dorr LD, Scott RD, Scott WN. Rationale of the Knee Society clinical rating system. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1989;(248):13–14.
20.
go back to reference Irrgang JJ, Anderson AF, Boland AL, Harner CD, Kurosaka M, Neyret P, Richmond JC, Shelborne KD. Development and validation of the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form. Am J Sports Med. 2001;29(5):600–613.PubMed Irrgang JJ, Anderson AF, Boland AL, Harner CD, Kurosaka M, Neyret P, Richmond JC, Shelborne KD. Development and validation of the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form. Am J Sports Med. 2001;29(5):600–613.PubMed
21.
go back to reference Jamali AA, Emmerson BC, Chung C, Convery FR, Bugbee WD. Fresh osteochondral allografts: results in the patellofemoral joint. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2005;(437):176–185. Jamali AA, Emmerson BC, Chung C, Convery FR, Bugbee WD. Fresh osteochondral allografts: results in the patellofemoral joint. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2005;(437):176–185.
22.
go back to reference Kaplan EL, Meier P. Nonparametric estimation from incomplete observations. J Am Statist Assoc. 1958;53(282):457–481.CrossRef Kaplan EL, Meier P. Nonparametric estimation from incomplete observations. J Am Statist Assoc. 1958;53(282):457–481.CrossRef
23.
go back to reference Keeney JA, Eunice S, Pashos G, Wright RW, Clohisy JC. What is the evidence for total knee arthroplasty in young patients?: a systematic review of the literature. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2011;469(2):574–583.PubMedCrossRef Keeney JA, Eunice S, Pashos G, Wright RW, Clohisy JC. What is the evidence for total knee arthroplasty in young patients?: a systematic review of the literature. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2011;469(2):574–583.PubMedCrossRef
24.
go back to reference LaPrade RF, Botker J, Herzog M, Agel J. Refrigerated osteoarticular allografts to treat articular cartilage defects of the femoral condyles. A prospective outcomes study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009;91(4):805–811.PubMedCrossRef LaPrade RF, Botker J, Herzog M, Agel J. Refrigerated osteoarticular allografts to treat articular cartilage defects of the femoral condyles. A prospective outcomes study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009;91(4):805–811.PubMedCrossRef
25.
go back to reference Lonner JH, Hershman S, Mont M, Lotke PA. Total knee arthroplasty in patients 40 years of age and younger with osteoarthritis. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2000;(380):85–90. Lonner JH, Hershman S, Mont M, Lotke PA. Total knee arthroplasty in patients 40 years of age and younger with osteoarthritis. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2000;(380):85–90.
26.
go back to reference McCulloch PC, Kang RW, Sobhy MH, Hayden JK, Cole BJ. Prospective evaluation of prolonged fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation of the femoral condyle: minimum 2-year follow-up. Am J Sports Med. 2007;35(3):411–420.PubMedCrossRef McCulloch PC, Kang RW, Sobhy MH, Hayden JK, Cole BJ. Prospective evaluation of prolonged fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation of the femoral condyle: minimum 2-year follow-up. Am J Sports Med. 2007;35(3):411–420.PubMedCrossRef
27.
go back to reference McDermott AG, Langer F, Pritzker KP, Gross AE. Fresh small-fragment osteochondral allografts. Long-term follow-up study on first 100 cases. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1985;(197):96–102. McDermott AG, Langer F, Pritzker KP, Gross AE. Fresh small-fragment osteochondral allografts. Long-term follow-up study on first 100 cases. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1985;(197):96–102.
28.
go back to reference Miller BS, Steadman JR, Briggs KK, Rodrigo JJ, Rodkey WG. Patient satisfaction and outcome after microfracture of the degenerative knee. J Knee Surg. 2004;17(1):13–17.PubMed Miller BS, Steadman JR, Briggs KK, Rodrigo JJ, Rodkey WG. Patient satisfaction and outcome after microfracture of the degenerative knee. J Knee Surg. 2004;17(1):13–17.PubMed
29.
go back to reference Minas T, Gomoll AH, Rosenberger R, Royce RO, Bryant T. Increased failure rate of autologous chondrocyte implantation after previous treatment with marrow stimulation techniques. Am J Sports Med. 2009;37(5):902–908.PubMedCrossRef Minas T, Gomoll AH, Rosenberger R, Royce RO, Bryant T. Increased failure rate of autologous chondrocyte implantation after previous treatment with marrow stimulation techniques. Am J Sports Med. 2009;37(5):902–908.PubMedCrossRef
30.
go back to reference Mithoefer K, Williams RJ 3rd, Warren RF, Potter HG, Spock CR, Jones EC, Wickiewicz TL, Marx RG. The microfracture technique for the treatment of articular cartilage lesions in the knee. A prospective cohort study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2005;87(9):1911–1920.PubMedCrossRef Mithoefer K, Williams RJ 3rd, Warren RF, Potter HG, Spock CR, Jones EC, Wickiewicz TL, Marx RG. The microfracture technique for the treatment of articular cartilage lesions in the knee. A prospective cohort study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2005;87(9):1911–1920.PubMedCrossRef
31.
go back to reference Mithofer K, Minas T, Peterson L, Yeon H, Micheli LJ. Functional outcome of knee articular cartilage repair in adolescent athletes. Am J Sports Med. 2005;33(8):1147–1153.PubMedCrossRef Mithofer K, Minas T, Peterson L, Yeon H, Micheli LJ. Functional outcome of knee articular cartilage repair in adolescent athletes. Am J Sports Med. 2005;33(8):1147–1153.PubMedCrossRef
32.
go back to reference O’Driscoll SW. The healing and regeneration of articular cartilage. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1998;80(12):1795–1812.PubMed O’Driscoll SW. The healing and regeneration of articular cartilage. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1998;80(12):1795–1812.PubMed
33.
go back to reference Pearsall AW, Tucker JA, Hester RB, Heitman RJ. Chondrocyte viability in refrigerated osteochondral allografts used for transplantation within the knee. Am J Sports Med. 2004;32(1):125–131.PubMedCrossRef Pearsall AW, Tucker JA, Hester RB, Heitman RJ. Chondrocyte viability in refrigerated osteochondral allografts used for transplantation within the knee. Am J Sports Med. 2004;32(1):125–131.PubMedCrossRef
34.
go back to reference Peterson L, Minas T, Brittberg M, Lindahl A. Treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the knee with autologous chondrocyte transplantation: results at two to ten years. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003;85-A(suppl 2):17–24.PubMed Peterson L, Minas T, Brittberg M, Lindahl A. Treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the knee with autologous chondrocyte transplantation: results at two to ten years. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003;85-A(suppl 2):17–24.PubMed
35.
go back to reference Shasha N, Krywulak S, Backstein D, Pressman A, Gross AE. Long-term follow-up of fresh tibial osteochondral allografts for failed tibial plateau fractures. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003;85-A(suppl 2):33–39.PubMed Shasha N, Krywulak S, Backstein D, Pressman A, Gross AE. Long-term follow-up of fresh tibial osteochondral allografts for failed tibial plateau fractures. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003;85-A(suppl 2):33–39.PubMed
36.
go back to reference Shelbourne KD, Jari S, Gray T. Outcome of untreated traumatic articular cartilage defects of the knee: a natural history study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003;85-A(suppl 2):8–16.PubMed Shelbourne KD, Jari S, Gray T. Outcome of untreated traumatic articular cartilage defects of the knee: a natural history study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003;85-A(suppl 2):8–16.PubMed
37.
go back to reference Steadman JR, Miller BS, Karas SG, Schlegel TF, Briggs KK, Hawkins RJ. The microfracture technique in the treatment of full-thickness chondral lesions of the knee in National Football League players. J Knee Surg. 2003;16(2):83–86.PubMed Steadman JR, Miller BS, Karas SG, Schlegel TF, Briggs KK, Hawkins RJ. The microfracture technique in the treatment of full-thickness chondral lesions of the knee in National Football League players. J Knee Surg. 2003;16(2):83–86.PubMed
38.
go back to reference Williams RJ 3rd, Ranawat AS, Potter HG, Carter T, Warren RF. Fresh stored allografts for the treatment of osteochondral defects of the knee. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2007;89(4):718–726.PubMedCrossRef Williams RJ 3rd, Ranawat AS, Potter HG, Carter T, Warren RF. Fresh stored allografts for the treatment of osteochondral defects of the knee. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2007;89(4):718–726.PubMedCrossRef
39.
go back to reference Williams SK, Amiel D, Ball ST, Allen RT, Tontz WL Jr, Emmerson BC, Badlani NM, Emery SC, Haghighi P, Bugbee WD. Analysis of cartilage tissue on a cellular level in fresh osteochondral allograft retrievals. Am J Sports Med. 2007;35(12):2022–2032.PubMedCrossRef Williams SK, Amiel D, Ball ST, Allen RT, Tontz WL Jr, Emmerson BC, Badlani NM, Emery SC, Haghighi P, Bugbee WD. Analysis of cartilage tissue on a cellular level in fresh osteochondral allograft retrievals. Am J Sports Med. 2007;35(12):2022–2032.PubMedCrossRef
40.
go back to reference Zaslav K, Cole B, Brewster R, DeBerardino T, Farr J, Fowler P, Nissen C. A prospective study of autologous chondrocyte implantation in patients with failed prior treatment for articular cartilage defect of the knee: results of the Study of the Treatment of Articular Repair (STAR) clinical trial. Am J Sports Med. 2009;37(1):42–55.PubMedCrossRef Zaslav K, Cole B, Brewster R, DeBerardino T, Farr J, Fowler P, Nissen C. A prospective study of autologous chondrocyte implantation in patients with failed prior treatment for articular cartilage defect of the knee: results of the Study of the Treatment of Articular Repair (STAR) clinical trial. Am J Sports Med. 2009;37(1):42–55.PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Do Fresh Osteochondral Allografts Successfully Treat Femoral Condyle Lesions?
Authors
Yadin D. Levy, MD
Simon Görtz, MD
Pamela A. Pulido, BSN
Julie C. McCauley, MPHc
William D. Bugbee, MD
Publication date
01-01-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® / Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 0009-921X
Electronic ISSN: 1528-1132
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-012-2556-4

Other articles of this Issue 1/2013

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® 1/2013 Go to the issue

Symposium: Papers Presented at the Annual Meetings of the Knee Society

Which Factors Increase Risk of Malalignment of the Hip-Knee-Ankle Axis in TKA?

Symposium: Papers Presented at the Annual Meetings of the Knee Society

Determinants of Direct Medical Costs in Primary and Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty

Symposium: Papers Presented at the Annual Meetings of The Knee Society

Papers Presented at the Annual Meetings of The Knee Society: Editorial Comment

Symposium: Papers Presented at the Annual Meetings of the Knee Society

Arthroplasty Knee Surgery and Alcohol Use: Risk Factor or Benefit?