Treatment of unstable osteochondritis dissecans in adults with autogenous osteochondral grafts (Mosaicplasty): long-term results.

purposethe unstable osteochondritis dissecans (OCD-type II and III according to the ICRS classification) of the knee largher than > 2.5 cm(2) in adults are uncommon lesions and there is no consensus on how to treat them. Medium-term studies have reported good results using autogenous osteochondral plugs (mosaicplasty). The aim of this study is to analyze the long-term results of this technique for the treatment of unstable OCD in a selected group of adult patients.

methodsfour patients with OCD at either one of the femoral condyles were included in this prospective study. The average age was 21.2 years (range, 18-24 years). The OCD lesions were classified as type II in three patients and type III in one patient and the average size was 3.8 cm(2) (range, 2.55-5.1 cm(2)). The lesions were treated in situ with a variable number of autogenous osteochondral plugs (Ø 4.5 mm(2)). The Modified Cincinnati, Lysholm II and Tegner scores were used for clinical and functional evaluation. Magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) was performed before surgery and at 2, 5 and 10 years after surgery. A modified MOCART score was used to evaluate MRA findings.

resultsthe average follow-up duration was ten years and 6 months (range, 10-11 years). No complications occurred. At the final follow-up, all scores (clinical, functional and MOCART) improved. In all but one of the patients MRA showed complete osteochondral repair.

conclusionsthe fixation of large and unstable OCD lesions with mosaicplasty may be a good option for treating type II or III OCD lesions in adults. The advantages of this technique include stable fixation, promotion of blood supply to the base of the OCD fragment, and grafting of autologous cancellous bone that stimulates healing with preservation of the articular surface. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.