The use of a lateral patellar autologous graft for the repair of a large osteochondral defect in the knee.

An autologous graft from the lateral facet of the patella was used to repair a large osteochondral defect of the weight-bearing surface of the femoral condyle in ten patients who were then followed for an average of six and one-half years (range, four to nine years). Function was improved and symptoms were alleviated in all of the patients. Four patients had mild pain in the anterior part of the knee and two patients had a flexion deformity, which was 5 degrees in one and 10 degrees in the other. Small osteophytes developed laterally in five of the patients; three of the five had pain in the anterior part of the knee and two had a mild lateral patellar tilt.