Osteochondral Autograft and Mosaicplasty in the Football (Soccer) Athlete

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of mosaicplasty in the treatment of focal chondral and osteochondral defects of joints among elite football players. METHODS: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. The results of mosaicplasty were prospectively evaluated with 1-year intervals with patient-reported outcome measures, radiographs, and sports participation. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients who received mosaicplasty in the knee joint were followed from 2 to 17 years (average, 9.6 years). The International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) score showed 89% good and excellent results. Sixty-seven percent of all players returned to the same level of sport, with 89% of the elite players and 62% of the competitive players. The average time to return to competitions was 4.5 months (range, 3.5-6.1 months). Players who had better clinical outcomes were significantly younger and had smaller lesions. The results of the medial and lateral condyles were significantly better than those in the patella or trochlea. Concomitant adjuvant procedures improved clinical outcomes. Despite a higher rate of preoperative osteoarthritic changes, clinical outcomes demonstrated a success rate similar to that of less athletic patients. CONCLUSION: Autologous osteochondral mosaicplasty in competitive football players is a good alternative procedure to repair cartilage damage.