Particulated Juvenile Articular Cartilage (PJAC) Allograft for Treatment of Lateral Femoral Condyle defect in High-Performance Athletes
Authors: Bucci Gabriella , Begg Michael , Pillifant Kevin , Singleton Steven B 
Published: June 2018

Background:

A relatively new technology for the treatment of high grade articular cartilage lesions is the implantation of particulated articular cartilage obtained from a juvenile allograft donor (PJAC).1-2 Previous studies have reported the ability of juvenile chondrocytes to migrate from cartilage explants after being secured in a cartilage defect.3 There is little in the literature to use as a reference with respect to the use of PJAC for high grade articular cartilage lesion of the lateral femoral condyle after a failure of treatment with a microfracture in the high level athlete.

Objective:

The aim of this report is to describe the technique of PJAC transplantation for the treatment of chondral lesions of the lateral femoral condyle and to report the short term outcomes in the high performance athlete.

Methods:

We present a case report of two patients who were treated in our clinic in December 2014. Case 1: 16 year old female Division 1 university soccer player, who one year prior to our index surgery underwent microfractures of a symptomatic lateral femoral condyle articular cartilage lesion without relief. Cae 2: 29 year old male professional tennis player (case 2) with a recurrent, symptomatic chondral defect on the lateral femoral condyle. The player had undergone multiple arthroscopic procedures on the same knee following an injury sustained while playing in the Australian Open, including a surgery 8 months prior to our index operation that had included lateral meniscal tear repair and microfractures. PJAC procedure consists of a minimal debridement and chondroplasty, performed arthroscopically. For these central lateral femoral condyle lesions, a mini-arthrotomy is created along the lateral parapatellar longitudinal axis over a length of about 3 cm. With the chondral defect localized and prepared, a thin fresh layer of fibrin glue is then applied. The PJAC graft is equally distributed in the defect with space in between the fragments so as not over-fill the defect. Then, a new fibrin glue layer is placed to cover the graft. The overall construct remains just below the level of the normal articular surface. The knee is cycled through the range of motion to ensure that the tissue construct is stable. We present images of the cartilage defect after debridement and the allograft implantation procedure. In addition we will submit an instructional video performed on a knee specimen.

Results:

Outcomes measured were: IKDC, Lysholm, and Tegner knee scores together with arc of motion of the joint. After 28 months follow up, patients had gained complete range of motion and significantly decreased pain. Improvement for each outcome measure used is reported.

Conclusions:

PJAC transplantation offers pain relief and improved short term outcomes in high level performance athletes. Both of our patients are back to practicing their sport with notable improvement in symptoms. No complications have been noted. Long-term data is not yet available.

References:

Am J Farr J, Tabet SK, Margerrison E, Cole BJ. Clinical, Radiographic, and Histological Outcomes After Cartilage Repair With Particulated Juvenile Articular Cartilage: A 2-Year Prospective Study. Sports Med. 2014 Jun;42(6):1417-25. Saltzman BM, Lin J, Lee S. Particulated Juvenile Articular Cartilage Allograft Transplantation for Osteochondral Talar Lesions. Cartilage. 2017 Jan;8(1):61-72. Arshi A, Wang D, Jones KJ. Combined Particulated Juvenile Cartilage Allograft Transplantation and Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction for Symptomatic Chondral Defects in the Setting of Recurrent Patellar Instability. Arthrosc Tech. 2016 Oct 10;5(5)