Journal of Cartilage & Joint Preservation最新文献

{"title":"Total knee arthroplasty after dome vs closed wedge high tibial osteotomy: a comparative study","authors":"Omar Aljasim, Kayhan Özcan, Arman Vahabi, Elcil Kaya Biçer, Semih Aydoğdu, Hakki Sur","doi":"10.1016/j.jcjp.2026.100288","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcjp.2026.100288","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Converting previously operated knees with high tibial osteotomy (HTO) to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) poses significant technical challenges due to the altered anatomy and geometry of the proximal tibia.</div></div><div>Converting previously operated knees with high tibial osteotomy (HTO) to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) poses significant technical challenges due to the altered anatomy and geometry of the proximal tibia.</div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study compared prosthetic component positioning in TKAs performed after closed wedge HTO (CWHTO) versus those performed after dome HTO (DHTO).</div></div><div>This study compared prosthetic component positioning in TKAs performed after closed wedge HTO (CWHTO) versus those performed after dome HTO (DHTO).</div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A total of 36 TKAs performed with a history of HTO (19 CWHTO and 17 DHTO) were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic variables, anatomical femorotibial angle, and TKA components alignment were assessed. Patellar position was assessed using the Insall–Salvati ratio. Additionally, joint line height and posterior tibial slope were recorded. Tibial tubercle osteotomy, and perioperative complications were evaluated.</div></div><div>A total of 36 TKAs performed with a history of HTO (19 CWHTO and 17 DHTO) were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic variables, anatomical femorotibial angle, and TKA components alignment were assessed. Patellar position was assessed using the Insall–Salvati ratio. Additionally, joint line height and posterior tibial slope were recorded. Tibial tubercle osteotomy, and perioperative complications were evaluated.</div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>There were no differences in the demographic variables between both groups. The femorotibial angle and prosthesis alignment was comparable between the CWHTO and DHTO groups (<em>P</em> > .05). Tibial tubercle osteotomy was performed in the CWHTO group in 1 knee (5%) and in the DHTO group in 4 knees (24%), with no statistically significant difference between the groups (<em>P</em> = .17). The Insall–Salvati ratio was comparable between both groups preoperatively and postoperatively (<em>P</em> = .85, <em>P</em> = .58). No significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of joint line height, posterior tibial slope, or complication rates. Tibial augmentation utilized only in DHTO group (<em>P</em> = .04, ).</div></div><div>There were no differences in the demographic variables between both groups. The femorotibial angle and prosthesis alignment was comparable between the CWHTO and DHTO groups (<em>P</em> > .05). Tibial tubercle osteotomy was performed in the CWHTO group in 1 knee (5%) and in the DHTO group in 4 knees (24%), with no statistically significant difference between the groups (<em>P</em> = .17). The Insall–Salvati ratio was comparable between both groups preoperatively and postoperatively (<em>P</em> = .85, <em>P</em> = .58). No signific","PeriodicalId":100760,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cartilage & Joint Preservation","volume":"6 3","pages":"Article 100288"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148861538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pain trajectory, peaks, and regression to the mean in untreated patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis","authors":"Davide Previtali,&nbsp;Alessandro Bensa,&nbsp;Angelo Boffa,&nbsp;Giuseppe Filardo","doi":"10.1016/j.jcjp.2025.100282","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcjp.2025.100282","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Pain remains the predominant symptom and primary treatment target in knee osteoarthritis (OA).</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aimed to document pain evolution patterns in untreated knee OA patients by assessing the prevalence and frequency of pain peaks and estimating regression to the mean.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Patients with symptomatic, radiographically confirmed knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥ 2), completed baseline questionnaires and rated their pain twice daily using a smartphone app over 60 days, enabling Ecological Momentary Assessment. Group-Based Trajectory Modeling identified pain trajectories over 30 and 60 days. Baseline differences and trajectory characteristics were compared, pain peaks analyzed, and regression to the mean calculated as the difference between baseline and 2-month pain scores.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of 156 patients enrolled, 140 completed the assessment. Three trajectory patterns emerged: stable, decreasing, and increasing pain, comprising 69%, 22%, and 9% (30-day analysis), and 65%, 11%, and 24% (60-day analysis) of patients, respectively. Notably, 16% shifted from stable to increasing pain during the second month. The stable group showed fewer pain peaks and fluctuations, while the decreasing group had worse baseline scores. Pain peaks occurred in 40% of patients at a frequency of more than 1 every 2 weeks. Regression to the mean was significant only in the decreasing pain subgroup (−0.43 ± 3.16; <em>P</em> &lt; .001).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Pain in untreated knee OA follows 3 main short-term trajectories: stable (65%), decreasing (11%), and increasing (24%). Pain peaks are common, especially in unstable trajectory groups. Regression to the mean was observed only in patients with initially higher pain levels and decreasing trajectory.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100760,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cartilage & Joint Preservation","volume":"6 3","pages":"Article 100282"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148861533","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Healthy autologous synovium mitigates traumatic and inflammatory-based chondrocyte damage via increased IL-1Ra and TIMP-1 secretion","authors":"Atsushi Urita ,&nbsp;Navya Dandu ,&nbsp;Arnavaz A. Hakimiyan ,&nbsp;Brian J. Cole ,&nbsp;Susan Chubinskaya ,&nbsp;Adam B. Yanke","doi":"10.1016/j.jcjp.2025.100273","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcjp.2025.100273","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Intrinsic responses of normal synovium to damaged cartilage are not well-understood.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To investigate if the addition of healthy synovium to damaged cartilage would improve cell viability and reduce the progression of osteoarthritic phenotypic features within the first 14 days after insult.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Fresh human tali and femoral condyles from 7 human donors were collected and randomized to either IL-1β or impaction damage groups. In both experimental groups, control (no IL-1b or impaction damage) and treated cartilage explants were further randomized to synovium coculture (cartilage + synovium) or isolated cartilage culture. Samples from cartilage explants, synovium, and media were collected at 0, 2, and 14 days and assessed by Live-Dead assay, histology with hematoxylin and eosin and Safranin O, and <em>ELISA</em> for IL-1ra, TGF-β1, TIMP-1, PRG-4, TNFa, and FGF-2.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Both damage models demonstrated a greater percentage of live cells with the addition of synovium compared with cartilage alone (treated with IL-1b or impaction damage). In the IL-1β cartilage coculture, there was significantly greater IL-1Ra concentration compared with IL-1β cartilage culture, while the impacted cartilage coculture model first demonstrated a significantly greater concentration of TIMP-1 compared with the impacted cartilage culture at days 2 and 7, and subsequently greater IL-1Ra levels at days 7 and 14.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Healthy synovium demonstrates a chondroprotective response with an associated rise in IL-1Ra (IL-1β and impaction models) and TIMP-1 (impaction model) after cartilage insult. These findings provide the basis for future investigation into the potential chondroprotective mechanisms of TIMP-1 and IL-1Ra.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100760,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cartilage & Joint Preservation","volume":"6 2","pages":"Article 100273"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148140885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis versus osteochondral autograft transfer system in patellar chondral lesions: a comparative study with a 2-year follow-up: comment on a study by Debieux et al","authors":"Hardik Kharbanda,&nbsp;Siddharth Jain,&nbsp;Manish Dwivedi,&nbsp;Sonal Mishra","doi":"10.1016/j.jcjp.2025.100243","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcjp.2025.100243","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":100760,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cartilage & Joint Preservation","volume":"6 2","pages":"Article 100243"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148141535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Welcome to the second issue of JCJP 2026","authors":"Lucienne A. Vonk ,&nbsp;Elizaveta Kon","doi":"10.1016/j.jcjp.2026.100306","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcjp.2026.100306","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":100760,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cartilage & Joint Preservation","volume":"6 2","pages":"Article 100306"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148141545","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The associations between meniscus tear location and the prevalence and severity of cartilage wear in different knee compartments using an arthroscopic grading system","authors":"Tara Korbal ,&nbsp;Claudia Leonardi ,&nbsp;Amy Bronstone ,&nbsp;Vinod Dasa","doi":"10.1016/j.jcjp.2025.100275","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcjp.2025.100275","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Meniscus tears are associated with progressive cartilage degeneration and worsening osteoarthritis. Although several previous studies have explored the relationship between meniscus tears and cartilage damage, few have examined the relationship between tear location and cartilage wear in all knee compartments using an arthroscopic grading system.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Evaluate the association between meniscus tear location and the prevalence and severity of high-grade cartilage wear in knee compartments.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A total of 210 patients were categorized into groups based on meniscus tear location: medial meniscus tear (MMT, <em>n</em> = 106), lateral meniscus tear (LMT, <em>n</em> = 41), and medial-lateral meniscus tear (MLMT, <em>n</em> = 63). The Outerbridge arthroscopic grading system was used to assess severity of cartilage wear in the medial, lateral, patellofemoral, and trochlear compartments during arthroscopic meniscectomy.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The MLMT group was significantly older than the MMT and LMT groups (<em>P</em> &lt; .001 for both). A significant association between cartilage wear grade and meniscus tear location was observed in all compartments except the medial femur (<em>P</em> = .074) and trochlea (<em>P</em> = .113). The prevalence of high-grade cartilage wear (Outerbridge arthroscopic grading system ≥III) was high across all knee compartments and particularly in the medial tibia and medial femur. Within the lateral femur compartment, high-grade cartilage wear was significantly more prevalent in the LMT and MLMT groups than the MMT group (<em>P</em> = .013).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Meniscus tear location was significantly associated with the severity of cartilage wear with the most severe degeneration seen in patients with combined medial-lateral tears. These findings highlight the importance of considering tear patterns when evaluating knee osteoarthritis risk and treatment strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100760,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cartilage & Joint Preservation","volume":"6 2","pages":"Article 100275"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148141549","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Autologous minced cartilage implantation combined with arthroscopic platelet-rich fibrin membrane in large chondral defects of the knee: a prospective comparative study","authors":"Özgür Başal ,&nbsp;James G. Jefferies ,&nbsp;Jure Serdar ,&nbsp;Mahmut Nedim Doral","doi":"10.1016/j.jcjp.2025.100270","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcjp.2025.100270","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Autologous minced cartilage implantation combined with platelet-rich fibrin membrane (m-PRF) may enhance chondrocyte viability by facilitating cell signaling between chondrocytes.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>The study evaluated the clinical outcomes of nanofracture with m-PRF–combined minced cartilage implantation vs nanofracture alone for large chondral lesions of the knee</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A total of 79 physically active adult patients (mean age 46 ± 5.3 years) with International Cartilage Repair Society grade III to IV cartilage lesions &gt;2 cm² of the femoral condyle or trochlea were included in this study. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into 2 surgical treatment groups. Group 1 underwent arthroscopic nanofracture followed by implantation of minced cartilage utilizing a membrane made from platelet rich in fibrin (m-PRF). Group 2 underwent arthroscopic debridement and nanofracture alone. All patients were evaluated prospectively with a minimum 2-year follow-up period, including 36 patients in Group 1 and 43 in Group 2 and assessed with International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) knee scores.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>IKDC and WOMAC scores showed significant improvements in both groups at final follow-up. IKDC scores in Group 1 at final follow-up were significantly higher (87.1 ± 3.8) than Group 2 (84.4 ± 6.3) (<em>P</em> = .03). WOMAC scores improved from 52 ± 8.6 to 19.1 ± 5.1 in Group 1 and from 55 ± 6.2 to 24.2 ± 7.1 in Group 2. The complication rate was low for both groups.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Arthroscopic m-PRF-combined minced cartilage implantation is an effective method for addressing chondral defects in the knee joint with low complication rates. m-PRF may function as a biological scaffold without the need for fixation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100760,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cartilage & Joint Preservation","volume":"6 2","pages":"Article 100270"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148140886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The association between chondral lesions and patient-reported outcomes after meniscectomy: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative","authors":"Ali Guermazi ,&nbsp;Jamie E. Collins ,&nbsp;Jared P. Sachs ,&nbsp;Yusuf N. Mufti ,&nbsp;Brian J. Cole","doi":"10.1016/j.jcjp.2025.100278","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcjp.2025.100278","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Evidence and guidelines around the treatment of meniscal tears in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) are conflicting, and the impact of chondral damage on surgical outcomes is unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Our objective was to evaluate patient-reported outcomes (PROs) following meniscectomy and to determine whether the extent of chondral damage is associated with worse outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We utilized data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative and selected participants with radiographic knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grades 2 and 3) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) available. We identified the MRI before meniscectomy and measured lesion area on sagittal intermediate-weighted fat-suppressed and axial reformatted Double Echo Steady State MRI. The primary analysis included knees with pain in the year preceding arthroscopic surgery (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC] Pain &gt; 20) and femoral lesion area &gt;2 cm². Secondary analysis included all knees.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The primary analysis included 66 participants. Average improvements in PROs 2 years postsurgery were 13.2, 7.6, and 12.1 for WOMAC Pain, WOMAC Function, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) Pain, respectively. WOMAC Pain improvements were 10.6 (95% confidence interval: 2.3, 18.9) in those with femoral lesion area 2 to 9 cm² and 15.1 (95% confidence interval: 8.1, 22.0) in those with femoral lesion area ≥9 cm². Results were consistent in secondary analyses.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Participants with radiographic knee OA undergoing meniscectomy reported improvements in PROs. Total femoral lesion area varied considerably, but we did not find associations between lesion area and PROs. These preliminary findings suggest that meniscectomy outcomes do not vary by chondral lesion extent in patients with Kellgren-Lawrence grades 2 and 3 OA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100760,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cartilage & Joint Preservation","volume":"6 2","pages":"Article 100278"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148141546","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing osteochondral allografts: moving beyond viability to define cartilage health","authors":"Jordyn A. Hammer,&nbsp;Michael L. Floren,&nbsp;Carolyn B. Rorick,&nbsp;Ross Wilkins","doi":"10.1016/j.jcjp.2025.100272","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcjp.2025.100272","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3><strong>Introduction</strong></h3><div>Living articular cartilage transplantation, including osteochondral allografts (OCAs), is an established treatment for cartilage defects. Current quality control standards largely emphasize chondrocyte viability as the primary measure of graft quality. However, this narrow focus overlooks other key biological factors influencing graft health and clinical outcomes.</div></div><div><h3><strong>Objectives</strong></h3><div>This study aims to establish a more comprehensive evaluation framework for OCAs by incorporating assessments of apoptosis, metabolic activity, matrix integrity, and histological staining alongside traditional viability measures, offering a fuller representation of cartilage and OCA functionality.</div></div><div><h3><strong>Methods</strong></h3><div>OCAs from donors aged 36 to 39 years were analyzed for chondrocyte viability, cellular functionality, and matrix integrity. Conventional viability assays (trypan blue, LIVE/DEAD) were compared with apoptosis detection (flow cytometry), metabolic activity (PrestoBlue), and matrix protein composition quantification (proteoglycan-4 and sulfated glycosaminoglycan). Histological staining (Hematoxylin and Eosin, Alcian Blue, Safranin-O) provided structural characterization of the cartilage matrix.</div></div><div><h3><strong>Results</strong></h3><div>Quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed discrepancies between assessment methods. LIVE/DEAD analysis reported 75.99% viability, while trypan blue yielded 94.29%. Flow cytometry results (88.00%) correlated closely with trypan blue findings, suggesting intact cell morphology. Metabolic and matrix assays supported these results, confirming the need for multi-parameter evaluation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The methods proposed here address the limitations of current approaches by utilizing multiple parameters to ensure a thorough and comprehensive evaluation of OCAs beyond viability alone with a goal of better predicting success and performance clinically.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100760,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cartilage & Joint Preservation","volume":"6 2","pages":"Article 100272"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148140884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cryopreserved osteochondral allografts: are they similar in biomechanical and histological characteristics at 90 days and 1 year compared with fresh?","authors":"Caroline R. Thomas ,&nbsp;Kevin M. Labus ,&nbsp;Ben C. Gadomski ,&nbsp;Nikki J. Phillips ,&nbsp;Jordyn Hammer ,&nbsp;Laurie R. Goodrich ,&nbsp;Brad B. Nelson","doi":"10.1016/j.jcjp.2025.100258","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcjp.2025.100258","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Large focal chondral and osteochondral lesions can be effectively treated with osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation; however, the shelf-life of fresh allograft leads to logistical challenges and subsequent tissue waste. Cryopreservation offers a solution to obstacles associated with fresh OCAs; however, studies on the cryopreservation of OCAs have yielded inconsistent biomechanical and viability results with varying degrees of diminished tissue degradation.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>The objective of this study was to compare the histologic and viscoelastic biomechanical properties of fresh (3-5 days, 14-28 days) and cryopreserved (90 days, 1 year) OCA samples.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Osteochondral plugs were harvested from the posterior medial femoral condyle of 10 cadaveric human donors. OCAs were segmented into quadrants, with each quadrant allocated to a different storage condition: fresh 3 to 5 days [Fresh_3-5d], fresh 14 to 28 days [Fresh_14-28d], cryopreserved &gt;90 days [Cryo_90d], and cryopreserved &gt;1 year [Cryo_1y]. Samples underwent biomechanical indentation and histologic evaluation using Osteoarthritis Research Society International and International Cartilage Repair Society II scoring guidelines. Biomechanical and histological data were compared using repeated measures analysis of variance. Statistical significance was defined at <em>P</em> &lt; .05.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>There were no significant differences between test groups for any histological variables. Instantaneous elastic modulus of both Fresh_3-5d and Fresh_14-28d groups was significantly lower than the Cryo_90d group; however, equilibrium elastic modulus and percent relaxation were not significantly different between groups.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>No clinically relevant biomechanical or histological differences were observed between fresh and up to 1-year cryopreserved OCA, indicating cryopreserved grafts may be a suitable alternative to current fresh grafts. Additional viability assessments are needed to validate chondrocyte survival in cryopreserved grafts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100760,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cartilage & Joint Preservation","volume":"6 2","pages":"Article 100258"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148140883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}