Medial femoral trochlea flap reconstruction: Clinical outcomes and perspectives

Abstract

We report our experience with use of the medial femoral trochlea (MFT) osteochondral flap for carpal applications. Outcomes of all patients treated with MFT flaps were reviewed. Healing, range of motion, grip strength, carpal alignment, pain, and complication data were collected. MFT flaps were performed on seven patients with a mean age of 26.1 (range, 17-42) years. Indications included scaphoid proximal pole nonunion (n = 3), Kienböck's disease (n = 3), and Preiser's disease (n = 1). The mean follow-up was 32.3 (range, 5-70) months. Union was achieved in five patients at a mean of 12 (range 6-22) weeks. All five patients had increased grip strength and absence of pain at follow-up. There were two failures due to graft resorption. The MFT osteochondral flap is a technically challenging yet powerful tool to replace the loss of both carpal articular cartilage and adjacent bone.