Osteochondral Autograft Transfers | Dr. Amit Meena
Osteochondral Autograft Transfers Our joints are equipped with a resilient, smooth substance known as cartilage. This essential surface facilitates the effortless and painless gliding of joints, granting us the freedom to move and flex. However, as the natural aging process unfolds or as we engage in sports and physical activities , this cartilage can begin to deteriorate and sustain damage. This deterioration can give rise to specific conditions that manifest as knee joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. One of the notable procedures designed to alleviate these issues is osteochondral autograft transfer (OATS). In this surgical technique, a small plug consisting of both bone and cartilage is extracted from a less weight-bearing area of the knee using a specialized cylindrical coring device. This plug is then transplanted into an area of the knee that exhibits a symptomatic osteochondral defect. Typically, OATS procedures are performed arthroscopically. It's worth noting tha...