Increased Host Bone Marrow Edema on 6-Month MRI Is a Risk Factor for Osteochondral Allograft Failure

Editorial Commentary: Osteochondral Allograft of the Knee-Diffuse Edema at 6 Months on Magnetic Resonance Imaging Predicts Failure

Cartilage defects alter natural function of articular cartilage and can predispose patients to further cartilage wear and eventual osteoarthritis. These injuries present a challenging problem with a multitude of treatment options and lack of consensus on when to employ each. Options include conservative measures (limited weightbearing and immobilization), debridement, microfracture, autologous chondrocyte implantation, and osteochondral autograft and allograft. Indications may be based on defect size, joint alignment, age, activity level, body mass index, and sex. One option, osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation, is typically reserved for large and severe defects or revision. With regard to OCA prognosis, older patients, revision cases, patellar defects, and bipolar lesions confer elevated risk of failure, whereas traumatic or idiopathic cases, unipolar lesions, and short duration of symptoms have reported higher levels of satisfaction. Following surgery, the patient with persistent symptoms can present a conundrum. Recent research shows that in such cases, diffuse edema at 6 months on magnetic resonance imaging often predicts ultimate failure, in which case arthroplasty may be required.