Return to Play After Bipolar Patellofemoral Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation for a Professional Basketball Player: A Case Report.
Overview
abstract
CASE: Extensive and multiple symptomatic chondral lesions in the knee of a professional athlete presents unique challenges when considering optimal management. We present the case of a professional National Basketball Association player with symptomatic and extensive patellofemoral chondral lesions, who failed 24 months of nonoperative management and was treated surgically with bipolar patellofemoral osteochondral allograft transplantation (OCA) consisting of 3 large grafts to the patella, medial trochlea, and lateral trochlea. The player was able to return to his preinjury level of play 10 months postoperatively and remains asymptomatic at same level of play 3 years after surgery. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging at 16 months demonstrated good restoration of the articular architecture of the patellofemoral joint. CONCLUSIONS: Bipolar OCA treatment for extensive chondral patellofemoral injury may be considered in high-level, high-demand athletes who wish to return to play professionally.
