2024 AANA/ISAKOS Specialty Day All-Access Pass-Cartilage Debate Speaker #1: Fresh Osteochondral Allograft

Cartilage Debate Speaker #1: Fresh Osteochondral Allograft

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Video Summary

Mike Lea from NYU advocates for osteochondral allografts as the preferred treatment for surface-based cartilage lesions, emphasizing their excellent long-term survivorship—up to 75% success at 15 years, especially with smaller grafts and in younger patients. Proper surgical technique is crucial to restore normal joint mechanics and avoid complications. Revisions are straightforward compared to metal implants. While metal resurfacing has its place, especially where grafts are unavailable, biologic procedures like allografts excel in younger, healthy patients without prior cartilage surgeries. Overall, osteochondral allografts offer a durable, effective option for cartilage restoration when done correctly.

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Michael J. Alaia, M.D.

Keywords

osteochondral allografts

cartilage lesions treatment

long-term survivorship

surgical technique

biologic cartilage restoration