[Osteochondral transplantation (mosaicplasty) in the treatment of knee joint cartilage defects].

Between 1998 and 2001 thirty-five patients underwent osteochondral transplantation (mosaicplasty) and 35 patients (controls) - microfracture procedure for osteochondral or chondral knee joint pathology treatment. Average age of patients was 24.74+/-7.20 years. Patients were evaluated through International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) and modified Hospital for special Surgery (HSS) scales, arthroscopically, histologically, with MRI and x-rays. Modified HSS and ICRS evaluation showed statistically significantly better results in the mosaicplasty group 12 months post operation (p=0.005). Last follow-up showed deterioration in microfracture group (p=0.0005).