Suture-Bridge Fixation of Osteochondral Fractures and Osteochondritis Dissecans in the Knee: Excellent Rates of Early Lesion Stability and Osseous Union

Background: Preservation of articular cartilage in the setting of acute or chronic injury in the adolescent and young adult knee is paramount for long-term joint health. Achieving osseous union, minimizing implant-related injury, and eliminating the need for reoperation for traumatic chondral and osteochondral lesions (OCLs) and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) remain a challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon. Purpose: To evaluate radiographic healing, patient-reported outcomes, and short-term complications after suture-bridge fixation of chondral fragments, osteochondral fractures, and OCD lesions in the knee. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: The study included consecutive patients (38 patients, 40 knees) treated within a single academic sports medicine institution who underwent suture-bridge fixation of an OCL or an OCD lesion of the knee from initiation of the technique in October 2019 through March 2021. The suture-bridge technique entailed bioabsorbable knotless anchors placed on the outside margins of the lesion with multiple strands of hand-tensioned absorbable (No. 0 or No. 1 Vicryl) or nonabsorbable (1.3-mm braided polyester tape) bridging suture. Healing was assessed by radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with MRI scans obtained on all OCD lesions and any chondral-only lesions. MRI scans were available for 33 of 40 (82.5%) knees within 1 year of surgery and were evaluated for lesion healing. Complications and rates and timing of return to sport were evaluated. Patient-reported outcomes in the OCD cohort were evaluated with the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) to determine early pain and functional improvement. Results: In total, 33 (82.5%) lesions demonstrated full union, and no lesions failed treatment. MRI assessment of healing (mean, 5.8 months; range, 3-12 months) demonstrated 9 (64.3%) OCD lesions with full union, 5 (35.7%) OCD lesions with stable union, and no OCD lesions with nonunion. Of the OCLs, 17 (89.5%) had full union, 2 (10.5%) had stable union, and none had nonunion. The 7 bony OCLs without an MRI scan demonstrated complete radiographic union. In 30 (75.0%) lesions, patients returned to sports at a mean of 6.5 months (range, 3.8-10.2 months). KOOS Activities of Daily Living, Pain, Quality of Life, and Symptoms scores demonstrated significant improvement from baseline at 6 months and at 1 year. There were 2 (5%) complications, consisting of reoperation for marginal chondroplasty on an otherwise stable lesion, and re-operation for intial un-treated patellar instability, with no reoperations for failure or revision of the suture-bridge construct. Conclusion: In this series of OCLs and OCD lesions of the knee, suture-bridge fixation demonstrated excellent rates of MRI and radiographic union and good early outcomes with minimal short-term complications. This technique may be used for lesion salvage as an alternative to metallic and nonmetallic screw/tack constructs in the treatment of these challenging lesions. Longer term follow-up and investigation are warranted.