Osteochondral Autograft Transfer and Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation for Osteochondral Repairs

Articular cartilage injuries of the knee are commonly seen and can result in significant pain and disability. Given the limited capacity for cartilage regeneration, techniques to restore the surface are crucial to restore function and prevent the progression of osteoarthritis. Osteochondral transplantation techniques, such as osteochondral autograft transfer (OAT) and fresh osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation, are utilized in the treatment of medium- to large-sized cartilage lesions to introduce viable, mature hyaline cartilage and underlying subchondral bone in a single-stage procedure. Benefits to these procedures include immediate graft stability, accelerated postoperative recovery, and long-term survivorship (>90%). Success is dependent upon optimal surgical exposure, adequate preparation of the lesion bed, anatomic contour-matching, and stable implantation.