Osteochondral autograft transfer for a posttraumatic osteochondral defect of the femoral head.

Overview

Posttraumatic osteochondral defects in the femoral head are uncommon, and management options are limited. Osteochondral defects may lead to pain and early degenerative changes. When conservative management fails, total hip arthroplasty is typically performed as the salvage procedure. However, this procedure may not be the best option in young, active patients. In this study, we report 2 cases of posttraumatic osteochondral defects of the femoral head. The patients, an active 15-year-old adolescent boy and a 29-year-old woman, were both treated with osteochondral autograft transfer from the ipsilateral knee to the femoral head, with successful clinical and radiographic results at a mean follow-up of 4.3 years. We submit that this treatment option should be considered for patients with similarly small-to-medium osteochondral defects of the femoral head. Additional research is warranted to more clearly define the indications for this procedure.