Return to Sport and Recreational Activity After Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation in the Knee

Osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation is an integral part of the cartilage repair paradigm, but insufficient data are available regarding return to sport or recreational activity after the procedure.

The purpose of this study was to determine if athletic patients undergoing OCA transplantation returned to sport, assess reasons for not returning to sport, and ascertain patient and graft-related characteristics that differed between those who returned or did not return to sport. The secondary aims were to assess graft survivorship and patient-reported subjective outcome measures (pain, function, satisfaction) among athletic patients undergoing OCA transplantation.

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

We identified 149 knees in 142 patients who participated in sport or recreational activity before a cartilage injury (45% highly competitive athletes and 55% well-trained and frequently sporting) and underwent OCA transplantation in the knee. The mean age was 31.2 years and 58.4% were male. Information on preinjury and postoperative participation in sport or recreational activity was collected. Patients not returning to sport after OCA transplantation were mailed a questionnaire to assess why. Postoperative pain, function, and satisfaction scores were obtained, and further surgery on the operative knee was documented.

At a mean follow-up of 6 years, 75.2% of knees returned to sport or recreational activity. Among those who did not return to sport, knee-related issues and lifestyle changes were cited as reasons why. Patients who did not return to sport were more likely to be female, have injured their knee in an activity other than sport, and have a larger graft size. The diagnosis and anatomic location also differed. Overall, 71% of knees reported having "very good" to "excellent" function, and 79% were able to participate in a high level of activity (moderate, strenuous, or very strenuous) postoperatively. After OCA transplantation, 25.5% of knees underwent further surgery; 14 knees (9.4% of entire cohort) were considered allograft failures. Among the 135 knees that had the graft remaining in situ, pain and function improved from preoperatively to the latest follow-up on all measures, and 91% of patients were satisfied with the results of the surgery.

OCA transplantation is a successful treatment option for athletes and highly active patients who sustain a cartilage injury to their knee. The majority of patients returned to sport or recreational activity.