|
 The
OATS procedure, an abbreviation for osteochondral autograft
transfer system, is a surgical procedure used to treat focal
cartilage defects less then 2 centimeters in size. OATS is
one technique of several used to treat this problem; the type of
procedure is called a mosaicplasty.
This technique which was developed approximately 10
years ago can restore the height and the shape of the articulating
surface in focal osteochondral defects, with composite autologous
material that contains all necessary ingredients: hyaline articular
cartilage, intact tidemark and a firm bone carrier.
This procedure uses cartilage from undamaged areas
of the joint not on a weight-bearing surface and moves this cartilage
to a damaged area. This type of procedure is only useful for the
treatment of focal cartilage damage. This procedure is only
used for isolated areas of cartilage damage, usually limited to
10-20 mm in size. If the cartilage lesion is greater then 2 centimeters
in size then the patient may be a candidate for autologous chondrocyte
implantation (ACI).
These types of cartilage lesions are typically in
younger patients (under 50 years of age) who have experienced a
trauma to their joints. This is not a surgical option for treating
arthritis. |
For
more informationon on ACI please visit: