Published online Apr 18, 2015. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v6.i3.340
Peer-review started: September 29, 2014
First decision: October 14, 2014
Revised: December 14, 2014
Accepted: January 15, 2015
Article in press: January 19, 2015
Published online: April 18, 2015
Processing time: 191 Days and 8 Hours
Core tip: Osteochondral allograft transplantation has been demonstrated to be a safe and effective treatment of large osteochondral and chondral defects of the knee in appropriately selected patients. The treatment reduces pain, improves function and is a viable limb salvage procedure for patients, especially young and active patients for whom total knee arthroplasty is not recommended. Current recommendations for fresh allografts stored at 4C advise implantation within 21-28 d of procurement for optimum chondrocyte viability, following screening and testing protocols. Higher rates of successful allograft transplantation are observed in younger patients, unipolar lesions, normal or corrected malalignment, and defects that are treated within 12 mo of symptom onset.