The allotransplantation of partial joints in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.

Nine allografts replacing part of the knee have been carried out in 8 patients. In all patients the graft was incorporated without clinical evidence of rejection. In one case a low grade infection was brought under control without surgery and thus far has not impaired the results. All patients have a good functional range of movement and the alignment of the knee has been maintained by the grafts which display little or no collapse at all. Histological evidence in one case revealed cartilage viability at 14 months. Two years interim observations are encouraging enough to continue on with this technique in the knee with disease severe enough not to be helped by osteotomy but not so diffusely damaged as to require total knee arthroplasty.