This study reports on 13 patients (mean age: 31 years) with a femoral condy
le defect >1.5 cm(2) who underwent treatment with an osteochondral graft of
the same size obtained from the superior aspect of the lateral condyle, pr
eserving the patellar groove. Mean follow-up was 61.5 months (range: 13-141
months). Twelve results were rated clinically as satisfactory with patient
s able to resume their normal pre-injury level of activity, and 1 case was
rated as poor. No patient reported any patellar problems. Radiographic and
computed tomographic evaluation demonstrated good integration of the graft
in the host bone.
The results of this technique at relatively long-term follow-up are encoura
ging, with a high percentage of subjective satisfaction. This technique app
ears to be reliable and provides a valid solution for treatment of wide car
tilage defects when other techniques are too complex or inadequate.