Biphasic bioresorbable scaffold (TruFit®) in knee osteochondral defects: 3-T MRI evaluation of osteointegration in patients with a 5-year minimum follow-up

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to follow morphological imaging characteristics and osteointegration of TruFit® bone graft substitute (BGS) plugs in cases of chondral and osteochondral defects of the articular surface of the knee joint, using high-quality cartilage-sensitive 3-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), linked to clinical outcomes. METHODS: The MRI was used to assess osteointegration and biological evolution of the TruFit® BGS plugs in cases with minimum 5-year follow-up: The TruFit® plug was used in 46 patients for a total of 47 cases with mean age of 57.89 (range 32-80). In this study, we reviewed only the cases with minimum follow-up of 5 years: 5 patients with mean age 64.4 years (minimum 38, maximum 80). The mean follow-up was 71 months (range 63-77). Patients were evaluated clinically, with Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale and MOCART Scale. RESULTS: 3-T MRI, which is preferable to 1.5 T for the better signal-to-noise ratio, contrast and the ability to acquire morphological images at higher spatial resolution, shows a satisfactory integration of bone scaffolds in studied cases for more than 5 years and a satisfactory restoration of the articular cartilage, with the exception of a case of which we still have to consider the factors age, type of lesion and the relationship between the plugs implanted. CONCLUSION: Clinical and radiological results significantly improve in a longer follow-up time. © 2017, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli.