The aim of this study was to assess the progression of radiological cartilage changes
and to document the functional, long-term results during a follow-up of 10 years
after osteoautograft transplantation (OAT) knee surgery. The study was a retrospective
analysis of all patients who underwent OAT at Turku University Hospital
from 1999–2007. Pre- and postoperative cartilage changes were estimated based
on standardized radiographs according to the Kellgren–Lawrence scale. Clinical
outcomes were evaluated with the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score
(KOOS) questionnaire. A total of 60 patients (64 knees) with a median age of 30
years (range 14–62) were included. The median follow-up was 140 months (range
47–205). 50% of the patients showed radiological progression of OA. Statistically
significantly better clinical outcome was associated with no progression in joint
space narrowing, defect sizes > 3.0 cm² and OCD diagnosis.