A fresh osteochondral allograft alternative.

Fresh osteochondral allografts were used for post-traumatic knee defects >3 cm in diameter and 1 cm in depth. Harvesting of the grafts was carried out within 24 hours of the death of the donor, and implantation into the recipient was carried out within 72 hours. The grafts were unipolar, fixed by screws, and combined with realignment osteotomy if a deformity existed. Meniscal transplantation also was performed if indicated. The survivorship of all grafts (plateaus and condyles) at 7.5 years was 85%. The survivorship of femoral condyle grafts at 10 years was 85%. Viable hyaline cartilage has been confirmed at 17 years. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA).