Arthroscopic Autologous Chondrocyte Bone Grafting of a Lateral Tibial Plateau Chondral Defect

Tibial plateau chondral defects can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Although grafting of femoral and patella chondral defects has become relatively commonplace, the tibial plateau offers unique challenges for some of the grafting techniques used in these locations, mostly because of limitations with exposure even in an open approach. Arthroscopic surgery makes treatment of these lesions more feasible, as it affords better access and visualization of tibial defects. The purpose of this article is to describe the arthroscopic management of a lateral tibial plateau chondral defect via autologous chondrocyte bone grafting. The technique consists of harvest of autologous cartilage from the intercondylar notch and repair of the tibial plateau defect with a slurry of autologous chondrocytes and bone marrow aspirate concentrate. In addition, CO2 is used as a medium to distend the joint in a tight compartment to keep the chondral defect dry. This technique is technically simple and does not require an extensive open technique or an expensive osteochondral allograft. It also avoids the staged management required in other types of autologous chondrocyte implantation, which require cartilage biopsy to produce a final product for implantation

Intraoperative Guidance for the Surgical Correction of Cam Deformities Using Hip Arthroscopy Based on Alpha Angle Measurement

Residual femoroacetabular impingement syndrome due to incomplete resection of a cam deformity is the leading cause of failed hip arthroscopy. The reliability of the alpha angle has been shown for quantifying cam deformities in femoroacetabular impingement syndrome. An intraoperative navigation tool that provides the ability to compare alpha angle measurements side by side on pre- and post-resection fluoroscopic images has recently been introduced. This tool uses fluoroscopic images obtained in 6 different hip positions. The reliability of these standardized hip positions has been shown by correlation with computed tomography in localization and visualization of cam deformities. The purpose of this Technical Note is to give technical tips about the application of this tool