Unstable Knee OCD Lesion Fixation with Bioabsorbable Fixation

Abstract

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions of the knee are a common injury and may occur in up to 15% of acute or recurrent patellar dislocations. While small, stable lesions may be treated nonoperatively or with excision, large or unstable lesions generally require surgical treatment to optimize clinical outcomes. Surgical treatment often involves arthroscopy to visualize the lesion, followed by open reduction and internal fixation of the OCD lesion after debridement and preparation of the fracture bed. Various types of implants can be used for fixation of OCD lesions. Historically, metal implants were widely used due to their compression force, but the advent of bioabsorbable implants has provided additional options with promising results. Currently available bioabsorbable implants vary in size, composition, and shape, which leads to differences in their usage, benefits, and complications. Several small clinical series have reported success with the use of a wide array of bioabsorbable implants. This article will summarize bioabsorbable implant options and characteristics, surgical indications and techniques for OCD fixation, and the recent literature on clinical outcomes and complications after OCD fixation with different implants.