Fresh Femoral Condyle Allograft Transplant for Knee Osteonecrosis in a Young, Active Patient
Joseph Cusano,BS, Emily J. Curry,BA, Akira M. Murakami, MD, and Xinning Li, MD
Investigation performed at Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Osteonecrosis is caused by diminished microperfusion of bone resulting in subsequent joint collapse. Estimates suggest that roughly 20,000 to 30,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the United States, with even higher rates in other countries.32 Osteonecrosis most commonly presents secondary to fractures or from nontraumatic means, such as prolonged glucocorticoid use, alcohol consumption, pancreatitis, or lipid disorders.6,10,28,31,34 These latter conditions are believed to lead to the accumulation of fat emboli in the microcirculation or in the bone marrow, which can compromise blood flow and ultimately cause cellular death.
