Autologous osteochondral transfer for the treatment of full-thickness defects in patients with or without ACL reconstruction. Results with 7 years follow-up

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of autologous osteochondral transfer for the treatment of cartilage defects in 2 groups of patients: The first with an isolated osteochondral injury and the other with associated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury treated in one stage surgery MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 25 patients with symptomatic focal full-thickness chondral lesions in the femoral condyles during the years 2003-2009, with a minimum of 5 years of follow up. The patients were divided into 2 groups: Group A: 10 patients with associated ACL injury, and Group B: 15 patients with an isolated osteochondral lesion. Clinical outcome was analyzed by Lysholm and IKDC scores. RESULTS: There was an improvement of all scores in both groups. There were no significant differences between the groups in the IKDC (82/84) and Lysholm (87/86) scores. The mean age at the time of assessment for group A was 46 years and 44 for the group B. The mid term follow-up was 96 months for group A and 103 months for group B. Two complications were recorded in group A: 1 infection and 1 arthrofibrosis. 2 complicationsoccurred in group B: 2 arthrofibrosis. CONCLUSION: The results of the mosaicplasty for the focal full-thickness chondral lesions in the femoral condyles are favorable after 5 years of follow up. There was no difference between the associated or not ACL injury.