Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®
Volume 468, Number 5, 1269-1278, DOI: 10.1007/s11999-010-1250-7

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The Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons®

Clinical Research

Fresh Osteochondral Allografting for Steroid-associated Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Condyles

Simon Görtz, Allison J. De Young and William D. Bugbee

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Abstract

Background  

Osteonecrosis is a complication of corticosteroid therapy with limited treatment options in young, active patients. These options include debridement, core decompression, osteotomy, allografting, and partial or total knee replacement. Few studies exist regarding the use of osteochondral allografts for treatment of steroid-associated osteonecrosis.

Questions/purposes  

We asked if fresh osteochondral allografts would (1) heal to host bone in the presence of osteonecrosis, (2) provide a clinically meaningful decrease in pain and improvement in function, and (3) prevent or postpone the need for prosthetic arthroplasty.

Patients and Methods  

Twenty-two patients (28 knees) who underwent osteochondral allografting for high-grade, corticosteroid-associated osteonecrosis were evaluated. Their average age was 24.3 years (range, 16–44 years). The mean graft surface area was 10.8 cm2 (range, 5.0–19.0 cm2). Evaluation included a modified (for the knee) D’Aubigné and Postel (18-point) score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), and Knee Society function scores. The minimum followup was 25 months (mean, 67 months; range, 25–235 months).

Results  

Five knees failed. The graft survival rate was 89% (25 of 28). The mean D’Aubigné and Postel score improved from 11.3 to 15.8; 19 of 25 (76%) had a score greater than 15. The mean IKDC pain score improved from 7.1 to 2.0, mean IKDC function score from 3.5 to 8.3, and mean Knee Society function score from 60.0 to 85.7.

Conclusions  

Our data suggest osteochondral allografting is a reasonable salvage option for osteonecrosis of the femoral condyles. TKA was avoided in 27 of the 28 of knees at last followup.

Level of Evidence  

Level IV, case series. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.
Each author certifies that his or her institution approved the human protocol for this investigation, that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research, and that informed consent for participation in the study was obtained.
This work was performed at Scripps Green Hospital, Scripps Clinic, University of California San Diego, and Shiley Center for Orthopaedic Research and Education at Scripps Clinic.

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