title: Minimum 5-year results of focal articular prosthetic resurfacing for the treatment of full-thickness articular cartilage defects in the knee.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of a contoured focal articular femoral condyle resurfacing prosthetic in the treatment of full-thickness cartilage and osteochondral defects at the medial femoral condyle of the knee beyond 5 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a multicenter case series, preoperative and follow-up scores of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), SF-36 and Tegner activity scale were evaluated. Standard radiographs were performed to evaluate the progression of osteoarthritis. Patients were also asked to report their satisfaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 21 patients were included in this study. The average follow-up was 5.3 years. The average age at the time of resurfacing was 54 years. Average KOOS scores significantly (P ≤ 0.005) improved for pain (51.1 to 77.6), symptoms (57.9 to 79.5), activities of daily living (ADL) (58.8 to 82.4), sports (26.3 to 57.8) and quality of life (QOL) (34.4 to 55.0). The Tegner activity level improved significantly (P ≤ 0.02) from 2.9 to 4. The physical health value of the SF-36 increased by 15.2 to 46.9 compared to the preoperative value. The mental health value almost (51.2) remained unchanged. As many as 16/21 of the patients in this series were satisfied with their outcome and would have the operation again. Radiographic results demonstrated solid fixation, preservation of joint space and no change in the osteoarthritic stage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The device appears to be an effective reconstructive treatment option for large full-thickness cartilage and osteochondral lesions of the knee in middle-aged patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Anna-von-Borries-Strasse 1-7, Hannover, Germany. becher.chris@web.de
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Becher
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kalbe
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thermann
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Paessler
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Laprell
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fechner
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bartsch
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Windhagen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ostermeier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002356:Cartilage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D011859:Radiography; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome