Editorial Commentary: Revising a Failed Osteochondral Allograft-Further Down the Rabbit Hole We Go….

Abstract

Fresh osteochondral allografting has gained popularity as a useful technique for managing difficult cartilage repair problems and, in revision situations, is a treatment of choice when other procedures such as microfracture, osteochondral autograft transfer, and cell-based therapies fail. However, it is a challenge when an allograft fails. Absent substantial progression of osteoarthritis, revising with another allograft results in a reasonable chance of "success" (but a high likelihood of further surgery along the way). Thus, in the setting of a failed osteochondral allograft, sometimes the best option is to keep going further down the rabbit hole and revise a failed allograft with an allograft.