Donor-Site-Related Mechanical Symptoms Following Osteochondral Autograft Transfer: A Case Report.

CASE

A 37-year-old woman presented with repetitive catching of the right knee 4 weeks after implantation of a 2-plug osteochondral autograft into the medial femoral condyle. The workup indicated that the symptoms were secondary to patellar engagement with the donor sites of the lateral aspect of the trochlea. She subsequently underwent osteochondral allograft implantation, resulting in painless, full range of motion with complete resolution of the mechanical symptoms.

CONCLUSION

It is important to consider donor-site morbidity following osteochondral autograft implantation, especially in patients with a relatively narrow distal aspect of the femur. Implantation of osteochondral allograft plugs in the symptomatic donor site is a feasible management option for this rarely reported complication.