Tell Me About Cartilage Transplant Surgery...

Osteochondral allograft surgery is a surgical procedure used to treat large, focal cartilage defects or lesions in joints, typically the knee. In this procedure, healthy cartilage and bone tissue from a donor (allograft) are transplanted into the affected area of the recipient's joint to replace damaged or missing cartilage.

Here's an overview of how osteochondral allograft surgery is typically performed:

1. Donor Graft Selection: Donor grafts are obtained from cadaveric donors who have undergone thorough screening to ensure tissue safety and compatibility. The donor grafts are typically harvested from non-weight-bearing areas of the joint, such as the lateral or medial femoral condyles.

2. Recipient Preparation: The recipient's joint is prepared for graft implantation through arthroscopic surgery. This may involve removing damaged cartilage and preparing the defect site to receive the donor graft.

3. Graft Sizing: The donor graft is sized and shaped to fit the defect site in the recipient's joint. Precision in graft sizing is crucial to ensure a good match and optimal integration with the surrounding tissue.

4. Graft Implantation: The prepared donor graft is then implanted into the defect site of the recipient's joint using surgical instruments. The graft is secured in place using fixation techniques such as screws, pins, or sutures to promote stability and integration with the surrounding tissue.

5. Postoperative Rehabilitation: Following surgery, the recipient undergoes a structured rehabilitation program to facilitate healing, promote tissue integration, and restore joint function. Rehabilitation typically includes a combination of exercises, physical therapy, and activity modification to gradually return to normal activities.

Osteochondral allograft surgery is considered a viable treatment option for patients with large, symptomatic cartilage defects or lesions that have failed conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, and injections. It offers several potential advantages, including the preservation of native tissue, restoration of joint congruity, and improvement in symptoms and function.

However, it's essential to recognize that osteochondral allograft surgery may not be suitable for all patients or all types of cartilage defects. The decision to undergo this procedure should be made in consultation with an orthopedic surgeon or sports medicine specialist who can evaluate the individual's specific condition, discuss treatment options, and determine the most appropriate course of action based on factors such as defect size, location, patient age, activity level, and overall health.

Author

Dr. Catherine Logan, MD, MBA Catherine Logan, MD, MBA, MSPT, is a sports medicine orthopaedic surgeon specializing in complex knee and shoulder surgery at Colorado Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics (COSMO) in Denver, Colorado. As a former physical therapist & trainer, Dr. Logan provides a distinct expertise in sports injury, prevention, and surgical management.