Is MRI useful in the early follow-up after autologous osteochondral transplantation?

The study was carried out to evaluate MRI findings following osteochondral auto-grafting in femoral condyles and talus, and to correlate these with the clinical outcome. Thirty-three patients (20 knees, 13 ankles) were examined 1 to 4 years after operation using MRI, Lysholm Knee Score and Foot and Ankle Osteoarthritis Score. Clinical examination showed pain relief and improved function and MRI images demonstrated graft incorporation. Radiological criteria such as articular step-off, subchondral lamina irregularity, subchondral oedema and inhomogeneity of the graft interface opposed to the host tissue do not correlate statistically with the clinical outcome. MRI is a well-recognised, useful diagnostic tool to assess the articular surface but it has a limited clinical significance in the early post-operative stages after autologous osteochondral transplantation. The long-term prognostic significance of unsatisfying MRI results is unknown.