Follow-up study on autogenous osteochondral transplantation for cartilage defect of knee joint

Abstract

To evaluate clinical effect of autologous osteochondral transplantation in treating localized knee cartilage defects. Fifteen patients with knee cartilage defects were treated by autologous osteochondral transplantation from January 2007 to January 2008, including 8 females and 7 males, aged from 23 to 45 years old. Preoperative and postoperative KSS score at 10 years were compared. All patients were followed up for 10.0 to 10.7 years, with an average of(10.2±0.3) years. Clinical score of KSS was improved from 38.86±4.09 to 85.07±2.19 at 10 years after operation(P<0.05), functional score increased from 3.33±4.88 to 82.67±4.58 at 10 years after operation(P<0.05), KSS score was improved form 42.20±7.84 befor operation to 167.73±6.29 at 10 years after operation, and had statistical differences before and after operation. While there was no statistical difference in stability of knee joint(P>0.05). All patients had no other complications. Through long-term follow-up of patients with cartilage defect in knee treated by autologous bone cartilage transplantation showed that this method could effectively improve function of knee joint and alleviate pain. So it is an effective method for repair of osteochondral defect.