Knee · Cartilage
OATS cartilage transfer
Cartilage and Bone Defect of the Femoral Condyle — Osteochondral Autograft Transfer (OATS)
The condition
Articular cartilage is the smooth tissue covering the end of the thigh bone (femoral condyle). Some smaller defects involve both the cartilage and the bone beneath it—from an injury or osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). They heal poorly on their own and cause pain, swelling, and catching.
The surgery
Osteochondral autograft transfer (OATS) moves one or more small plugs of your own cartilage and bone from a low-stress edge of the knee into the defect, where they are press-fit without screws. It is typically outpatient, through small incisions or a small open incision. Using your own tissue lets the plug heal quickly. The low-stress plug harvest site is then filled with cadaver bone/cartilage.
Recovery at a glance
- Weight-bearing
- Crutches, with weight added in steps: touch-down for 2 weeks, then half, then three-quarters, reaching full by 6–8 weeks (longer for larger or multiple plugs).
- Motion
- No limits—frequent bending from day 1; stationary bike from 2 weeks. The brace is locked straight for walking until leg control returns and is off by 6 weeks.
- Daily life
- Desk work often within 2 weeks. No driving while taking narcotic pain medication.
- Running
- Typically between 4 and 6 months, once x-rays show the plug has healed and strength allows.
- Sports
- Typically 6–9 months after strength and hop testing; cutting and contact sports may take longer.
A general guide. Your restrictions and timeline may change based on what is found and done at surgery.
Risks & benefits
Benefits: Most patients have less pain and better function, with their own living cartilage in the repaired spot. Risks are uncommon and include infection, blood clots, pain or swelling where the plugs were taken, the plug not healing or settling, ongoing swelling, injury to nearby structures (such as nerves, blood vessels, or cartilage), stiffness, persistent pain, and the need for further surgery. These will be reviewed with you in detail before surgery.
Patient Surgical Information
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Before & after every surgery