Obtaining intra-articular bone grafts arthroscopically for intra-articular grafting

Autogenous bone graft is frequently necessary for arthroscopic procedures and even small open procedures that involve cruciate revision, osteochondritis dissecans repair, and fracture reduction and internal fixation. Currently used sites to obtain bone graft are the iliac crest and Gerdy's tubercle. This article describes an arthroscopic technique for harvest of small amounts of bone graft from the distal femur. This avoids the morbidity of the extra-articular harvest. Tube harvesters frequently used for osteochondral autografts are the primary tool required for this technique. However, as described, the obtaining of bone graft is much less technically exacting than when procuring osteochondral bone plugs. This provides a safe, simple way to obtain extra autogenous bone at minimal additional operative morbidity.