title: Bipolar fresh osteochondral allograft of the shoulder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to describe an original technique and preliminary results of bipolar fresh osteochondral allograft implantation for the treatment of end-stage glenohumeral osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  three patients underwent bipolar fresh osteochondral allograft implantation to the shoulder. Clinical and radiographical evaluations were carried out periodically through to final follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  constant Score increased from 38.3 ± 2.9 pre-operatively to 78.7 ± 16.2 at 12 months, 72.3 ±15.3 at 24 months, and 59.3 ± 22.0 at 34 months. Arthritis and partial reabsorption of the implanted surfaces were evident radiographically.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the clinical results obtained in these patients seem to support the applicability of bipolar fresh osteochondral allograft implantation in the shoulder in subjects with severe post-traumatic arthritis and intact rotator cuff. The development of arthritis of the implanted surfaces, while not impacting the clinical result, is a cause of concern.
  
  
  METHODS
  level IV, therapeutic case series.
authors.affiliation: 1 Clinic of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giannini
authors.affiliation: 1 Clinic of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sebastiani
authors.affiliation: 1 Clinic of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Alba
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shehu
authors.affiliation: 1 Clinic of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baldassarri
authors.affiliation: 1 Clinic of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maraldi
authors.affiliation: 1 Clinic of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vannini
keywords: allograft; arthritis; bipolar fresh osteochondral allograft; shoulder