Abstract
Purpose
To assess the reliability of a biomimetic osteochondral scaffold Maioregen (Finceramica Faenza SpA, Faenza, Italt) as a salvage and joint-preserving procedure in the treatment of late stages of osteonecrosis of the knee.
Methods
Nine active patients aged under 65 year presenting with clinical and radiological signs of SPONK were treated with a biomimetic osteochondral scaffold. All patients were clinically evaluated preoperatively and yearly with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Subjective IKDC and Lysholm Knee Scale were used to assess clinical outcome. Pre-operative and post-operative pain was quantified with VAS scale. Activity level were evaluated pre-operatively and at follow-up according to Tegner Activity Scale.
Results
Subjective IKDC (35 ± 14.5 to 75.7 ± 20) and Lysholm Knee Scale (49.7 ± 17.9 to 86.6 ± 12.7) significantly improved from pre-operative evaluation (p < .01). VAS decreased from a mean pre-operative value of 6.3 ± 2.5 to 1.6 ± 2.7 at 2 years follow-up. Tegner Activity Scale doesn't show significant differences between pre-operative values and those obtained at two-year follow up.
Two of nine patients returned to be symptomatic after 18 months from the implants and progressed to condylar collapse, despite the joint-preserving treatment, and underwent a total knee arthroplasty.
Conclusions
Biomimetic scaffold can be a valid option in surgical treatment of SPONK in young active patients. Use of this surgical technique, originally developed for OCD, gives good clinical results at a mid-term follow up also in treatment of osteonecrosis and could postpone or even spare joint replacement procedures.
