Osteochondritis dissecans of the femoral condyle treated with periosteal transplantation. Poor outcome in 14 patients followed for 6-9 years.

We evaluated 14 consecutive periosteal transplantations to treat osteochondritis dissecans lesions of the femoral condyle. 1 year postoperatively, 9 knees were pain-free, but with 6-9 years follow-up, only 2 knees were pain-free. Formation of hyaline-like cartilage, assessed in 12 knees, was documented in 1 patients and assessed as possible in 1 more, but in 10 patients the tissue formed in the defects was not or probably not hyaline cartilage. 6 knees had developed arthrosis.