Early results of one-stage knee extensor realignment and autologous osteochondral grafting.

We treated 49 patients with recurrent patellar dislocations or persistent patellar subluxations. Chondral defects were graded according to the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS). Thirty patients (group I) had chondral defects grade I or II, and 19 patients (group II) had chondral defects grade III or IV. All patients were treated with proximal and distal realignment of the knee extensor mechanism, but group II also had a simultaneous autologous osteochondral grafting of the chondral defect. Patients were followed for 2 years and clinically assessed using the Marshall score comparing the two groups. Apart from a slower recovery in group II, the clinical and functional results were almost the same at the final follow-up.