Background: Juvenile particulated cartilage allograft (DeNovo NT®, Zimmer, Warsaw, IN) transplantation is a relatively new technology for the treatment of high-grade cartilage lesions. To date there is limited literature demonstrating its effectiveness and safety. The present study specifically looks at the short-term efficacy of DeNovo NT® allograft for symptomatic high-grade cartilage lesions of the patella. Clinical outcomes and complications are reported.
Methods: Seventeen cases of DeNovo NT® allograft transplantation at our institution were retrospectively reviewed from 2010 to 2013. Thirteen patients had the procedure performed for patellar lesions and are included in the present study. A chart review was performed to record demographic data, surgical technique, and complications. In addition, we analyzed preoperative and postoperative KOOS outcome scores.
Results: The mean age was 22.5 years (range, 14-34), with 3 males and 10 females. Mean follow-up was 8.2 months (range, 0.67-32.7). Six of the patients had concomitant anteromedialization of the tibial tubercle. DeNovo NT® allograft transplantation resulted in improvement for each outcome measure used. Overall KOOS score significantly improved from a mean of 58.4±15.7 to 69.2±18.6 (P = 0.04). Improvement in KOOS subscales of pain, ADL, and symptoms all approached but did not reach statistical significance (P values between 0.05 and 0.10). There were no infections or hardware complications.
Conclusions: This series demonstrates that DeNovo NT® allograft transplantation for symptomatic high-grade cartilage lesions of the patella results in pain relief and improved outcomes in the short term. Further studies are needed to better evaluate this new technology.
Level of evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series.