Periosteal Transplantation Combined with the Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis (AMIC) Technique in Isolated Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE Isolated cases of osteoarthritis of the knee represent a major clinical problem. A particular challenge is a case in which both articular surfaces are affected. Such is the case with the isolated form of patellofemoral osteoarthritis. Studies that describe methods for treating such conditions are few, and the results are not too promising. METHODS In this article, we present one such case of isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis in which we used a new approach combining periosteal transplantation on one side and the autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) technique on the other side. RESULTS The patient has improved, measured by the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) from 48 preoperatively to 77 at 1 year postoperatively (mean improvement) and measured by the Lysholm score from 45 preoperatively to 90 at 1 year postoperatively. CONCLUSION This original approach has shown promising results in this patient and could be tested in a larger group of patients with the same type of osteoarthritis in order to estimate its real clinical value.