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Knee Videos: Cartilage
Fresh Femoral Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation Using a Single-Plug Technique for Large Osteochondral Defects of the Knee
Osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation has been used to treat a wide spectrum of cartilage deficiencies in the knee, including spontaneous necrosis of the knee. Studies reporting outcomes after OCA transplantation have shown reliable improvement in pain and return to activities of daily living. We describe a single-plug, press-fit technique for OCA transplantation with concomitant high tibial osteotomy to treat femoral condyle chondral defects in a varus knee. Pearls and pitfalls of this technique are presented; attention should be paid to correction of concomitant joint pathology and malalignment to facilitate osseointegration and survivorship of the allograft plug into host bone.Fresh Osteochondral and Meniscus Allografting for Post-traumatic Tibial Plateau Defects
Large post-traumatic osteochondral defects of the proximal tibia in young active patients can be challenging because total or partial arthroplasties are to be avoided. The use of a fresh osteochondral allograft including its meniscus is one of the few options to biologically treat these injuries. Although the use of a fresh allograft is not easily accessible in some places and carries considerable logistical limitations, it is an alternative that provides viable chondrocytes to the defect. The inclusion of the meniscus in the osteochondral graft improves the results but also makes the technique even more demanding.Fresh Osteochondral Patellar Allograft Resurfacing
The treatment of articular cartilage lesions in young patients is certainly a complex matter and subject of continuous research, particularly for those located at the patellofemoral joint, given its peculiar biomechanical characteristics. Osteochondral grafts can be of relatively small size when the defect is focal and in an area that allows good stability and consequently the graft's integration. In case of large or multifocal lesions, it is possible to consider an osteochondral transplantation of the entire articular surface of the patella.Arthroscopic Untethering of the Fat Pad of the Knee: Release or Resection of the Infrapatellar Plica (Ligamentum Mucosum) and Related Structures for Anterior Knee Pain
Anterior knee pain (AKP), a multifactorial symptom complex, can be successfully treated surgically. A specific diagnosis often cannot be made, but the pain is linked to an unrecognized common factor in most patients: the mechanical behavior of the non-isometric contents of the anterior compartment of the knee—the fat pad (FP) and infrapatellar plica (IPP). The objective of this presentation is to describe an effective arthroscopic technique that treats AKP by addressing this common factor. The operation consists of release or resection of the IPP, or ligamentum mucosum, which tethers the FP.Cartilage Repair in the Knee Using Umbilical Cord Wharton's Jelly–Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Embedded Onto Collagen Scaffolding and Implanted Under Dry Arthroscopy
Cell-based cartilage repair procedures are becoming more widely available and have shown promising potential to treat a wide range of cartilage lesion types and sizes, particularly in the knee joint. More recently, techniques have evolved from 2-step techniques that use autologous chondrocyte expansion to 1-step techniques that make use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) embedded onto biocompatible scaffolding. Our 1-step technique has been further developed to provide cell-based cartilage repair using MSCs that have the potential to be used in an off-the-shelf manner, without the need for autologous tissue harvest.Opening Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction or Revision
High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is a valid treatment option for young active patients with medial tibiofemoral osteoarthrosis (OA) and varus deformity. Sometimes medial OA is combined with symptomatic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency. Although isolated HTO (with possible delayed ACL reconstruction) might be indicated in the older population, young active patients may require combined HTO and ACL reconstruction. In addition, an abnormally increased tibial slope may predispose to ACL reconstruction failure and should be addressed for a successful ACL revision.Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Transplant Technique for Degenerative Joint Disease
The treatment of mild to moderate osteoarthritis can be a challenging problem for orthopaedic surgeons. As new research and treatment strategies have emerged, stem cell therapy has risen in popularity for the management of degenerative joint conditions. In this article, we describe a stepwise technical approach with tips and pearls to performing adipose-derived stem cell transplantation for degenerative joint disease of the knee.Arthroscopic Chondral Debridement Using Radiofrequency Ablation for Patellofemoral Compartment Pathology
The purpose of this Technical Note is to introduce a surgical technique using a fluid pressure pump, mid-lateral portal, and radiofrequency ablation for visualization, assessment, and subsequent, accurate/adequate removal of patellofemoral articular lesions for the treatment of patellofemoral compartment pathology. With the patient in the supine position, and an inflated thigh tourniquet, standard lateral and medial portals are made. The medial-femoral compartment, notch, lateral-femoral compartment, and patellofemoral compartments are assessed.All-inside Arthroscopic Meniscal Repair Technique Using a Midbody Accessory Portal
Treatment of symptomatic meniscal tears continues to evolve as we improve our understanding of the biomechanical role of the meniscus and its long-term importance to the health of the knee joint. Suture repair of meniscal tears is challenging, yet the incidence of repairs among our colleagues continues to rise as we aim to preserve meniscal tissue. Many elements of performing a repair are tedious and difficult, including proper meniscal preparation, reduction, mattress suture placement, and fixation.Posterior Lateral Meniscus Root Reattachment With Suture Anchors: An Arthroscopic Technique
The posterior lateral meniscus root (PLMR) provides the circumferential tension required to stabilize the lateral meniscus. Thus, preservation of the PLMR is important to prevent an increase in tibiofemoral contact pressure, which could result in osteoarthritis. We describe an all-arthroscopic approach to the fixation of PLMR using suture anchors through associated posterolateral arthroscopic portals that result in a more favorable inclination of the anchors. Initially, the anatomical insertion site of the root on the tibial plateau is debrided, 1 to 2 anchors are placed through the posterolateral portals into the root's footprint area, and the meniscus is finally sutured from the posterolateral portals.Mosaicplasty Using Grafts From the Upper Tibiofibular Joint
Autologous mosaicplasty has been widely used for the treatment of focal, full-thickness, articular cartilage lesions of the knee and ankle joints. Commonly, the autografts are harvested from non–weight-bearing areas of the knee joint, leading to associated donor-site morbidity and representing a considerable disadvantage. This Technical Note presents a mosaicplasty procedure for harvesting autologous osteochondral plugs from the upper tibiofibular joint to repair articular cartilage defects. With this technique, it is possible to achieve low or no risk of donor-site morbidity, being therefore a safe and favorable option to treat large cartilage defects.Viable Osteochondral Allograft for the Treatment of a Full-Thickness Cartilage Defect of the Patella
Isolated cartilage defects can lead to significant pain and disability, prompting the development of a number of options for restorative treatment. Each method has advantages and limitations, and no single technique has gained widespread use. We present a technique for implantation of a cryopreserved osteochondral allograft (Cartiform) for the treatment of full-thickness cartilage defects. Cartiform is a cryopreserved osteochondral allograft composed of chondrocytes, chondrogenic growth factors, and extracellular matrix proteins.Arthroscopic Management of Isolated Tibial Plateau Defect With Microfracture and Micronized Allogeneic Cartilage–Platelet-Rich Plasma Adjunct
Articular cartilage lesions of the tibial plateau are an uncommonly encountered clinical entity, and they have been comparatively less well studied than femoral condyle or patellofemoral defects. The management of these lesions is complicated by the challenging geometry, difficult surgical approach, and proximity to important anatomic structures, and thus, treating these lesions by previously established methods, such as osteochondral allograft transplantation or osteochondral autograft transfer, can be a technically challenging endeavor.Prevention of Medial Femoral Condyle Injury by Using a Slotted Cannula in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Anterior cruciate ligament injury is one of the most common ligament injuries of the knee in sports medicine. The treatment of choice is anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, which requires an experienced surgeon. Complications may occur at every step of the procedure. The surgeon should be especially careful when performing the step of femoral tunnel creation. Damage to the medial femoral condyle (MFC) could occur; thus, the full functional outcome of the knee might be affected. There are many surgical techniques to avoid MFC injury.Posterior Capsulotomy of the Knee: Treatment of Minimal Knee Extension Deficit
The loss of knee extension, even if minimal, is disabling and considerably affects the individual's quality of life. This loss of extension can be a consequence of prior surgery, including a previous anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Although this loss of extension may be treated through an isolated arthroscopic procedure, a more severe case may warrant an invasive approach. In these cases, a posterior capsulotomy of the knee may be done if all conservative measures have been exhausted.Meniscal Allograft Transplantation With Concomitant Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation
Surgical strategies for knee joint preservation are numerous, with the procedure(s) of choice for a given patient dependent on the status of the articular cartilage, meniscus, overall alignment, and ligamentous stability. For patients with large, isolated, osteochondral defects of the articular cartilage of the femoral condyle, osteochondral allograft transplantation (OCA) is often performed in an effort to reduce pain and improve function. Similarly, for appropriately indicated patients with symptomatic meniscus deficiency, meniscus allograft transplantation (MAT) is an excellent surgical solution.Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation for Treatment of Medial Femoral Condyle Defect
Chondral lesions of the knee can affect the young, active population, thereby causing severe morbidity and a large economic burden. Although numerous approaches have been described in the literature, restoration of hyaline cartilage has yet to be shown. Specifically, larger, full-thickness cartilage defects remain a challenge. This Technical Note details our technique for biologic unicompartmental osteochondral allograft transplantation for the treatment of large femoral condyle articular cartilage defects.Office-Based Needle Arthroscopy: A Standardized Diagnostic Approach to the Knee
Surgical knee arthroscopy is among the most commonly performed procedures in the United States. The decision to treat is often based on clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging. Equivocal results frequently require patients to undergo surgical arthroscopy, exposing the patient to inherent risks and potential surgical complications. Office-based needle arthroscopy provides an alternative approach to visualizing intra-articular anatomy and pathology in real time. The purpose of this article is to provide a standardized diagnostic approach to needle arthroscopy of the knee.Joint Preservation Surgery for Medial Compartment Osteoarthritis
Single compartment osteoarthritis is a commonly encountered condition in the middle-aged population, with the medial compartment being the most commonly involved compartment. Medial compartment osteoarthritis becomes seriously disabling for these active patients, with a very few definitive solutions. These patients quickly stop responding to the conservative methods such as lifestyle modification, drugs, physiotherapy, and rehab programs. Less invasive procedures such as intra-articular injections or joint debridement also do not give a long-lasting relief.Tibial Allograft Transfer for Medial Tibial Plateau Resurfacing
A large cartilage lesion of the tibial plateau with a deficient meniscus in a young patient is a challenging pathology for the orthopaedic surgeon due to the limited options available. While hemiarthroplasty procedures can be an option, the risk of revision in a young patient is high, and therefore a reconstructive procedure is advocated. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe our technique for tibial plateau resurfacing, including the preparation and implantation of a medial tibial plateau and medial meniscal allograft, in a patient with a post-traumatic KD-4 knee dislocation with a medial tibial plateau rim fracture, medial meniscus deficiency, and medial tibiofemoral joint subluxation.Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Repair Using a Transtibial Technique
The meniscal roots are critical in maintaining the normal shock absorbing function of the meniscus. If a meniscal root tear is left untreated, meniscal extrusion can occur rendering the meniscus nonfunctional resulting in degenerative arthritis. Two main repair techniques are described: (1) suture anchors (direct fixation) and (2) sutures pulled through a tibial tunnel (indirect fixation). Meniscal root repair using a suture anchor technique is technically challenging requiring a posterior portal and a curved suture passing device that can be difficult to manipulate within the knee.Biologic Inlay Osteochondral Reconstruction: Arthroscopic One-Step Osteochondral Lesion Repair in the Knee Using Morselized Bone Grafting and Hyaluronic Acid-Based Scaffold Embedded With Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate
Cartilage injury of the knee that is associated with significant subchondral bone loss can result in great morbidity, and treatment options that provide durable repair are limited. Osteochondral autograft and allograft reconstruction of these lesions has been used extensively; however, these techniques often require a more invasive surgical exposure, and restoring the natural articular surface radius of curvature can be challenging, particularly in larger lesions. Cell-based repair of these lesions, using autologous chondrocytes in conjunction with bone grafting, has been used with success, although this procedure requires the patient to undergo 2 operations, and access is often restricted due to the high associated costs.Microdrilling Surgery Augmented With Intra-articular Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate, Platelet-Rich Plasma, and Hyaluronic Acid: A Technique for Cartilage Repair in the Knee
The ideal treatment of large full-thickness chondral lesions in the knee, especially “kissing lesions” and osteoarthritis, has not been determined. Microdrilling surgery augmented with injections of peripheral blood stem cells and hyaluronic acid has been used to treat patients with a wide range of articular cartilage disease including patients with bipolar lesions and joint space narrowing. Excellent results in this difficult patient population have been reported, and second-look biopsy has shown repair tissue very similar to native hyaline cartilage.Second-Generation Autologous Minced Cartilage Repair Technique
Articular cartilage defects at the knee joint are identified and treated with increasing frequency. Autologous chondrocytes may have the strongest potential to generate high-quality repair tissue within the defective region. Autologous chondrocyte implantation is not available in every country. We present a surgical technique where the surgeon can apply autologous chondrocytes in a one-step procedure to treat articular cartilage defects at the knee joint.Medial Closing-Wedge Distal Femoral Osteotomy for Genu Valgum With Lateral Compartment Disease
Lateral compartment disease combined with valgus alignment can lead to progressive knee joint degeneration. In the symptomatic patient with isolated lateral compartment disease, a varus-producing distal femoral osteotomy can unload the diseased lateral compartment. This osteotomy may be combined with other cartilage or meniscal restorative techniques to optimize knee joint preservation and pain relief. The osteotomy can be performed with a medial closing-wedge or lateral opening-wedge technique.
