Retrograde "Sandwich" Technique and Implantation of Minced Cartilage in a Hyaluronic Acid Scaffold for Deep Osteochondral Knee Lesions.

Abstract

The management of deep osteochondral lesions is a subject of great controversy. Despite multiple studies and research efforts, it has not been possible to establish an ideal technique for their treatment. The main goal of all available treatments is to avoid the progress toward early osteoarthritis. Hence, this article will present a one-step technique for the handling of osteochondral lesions with a depth equal to or greater than 5 mm, with retrograde subchondral bone grafting to reconstruct the subchondral bone, seeking the greatest possible preservation of the subchondral plate, and implantation of autologous minced cartilage plus a hyaluronic acid-based scaffold (HyaloFast; Anika Therapeutics) under arthroscopic surgery.