Allograft in Sports Injuries of the Knee: Indian Perspective
摘要
The use of allografts in knee injury management began in the 1950s, with early applications focused on ligament reconstruction. As the knee is a pivotal joint, it is highly susceptible to injuries that require tailored surgical interventions. Soft tissue allografts, particularly in revision cases, support optimal outcomes for patients with compromised knee function by enhancing structural stability and joint mobility. Meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT), for example, preserves knee joint function, relieves pain, and distributes load evenly, helping to prevent or delay degenerative changes that could lead to total knee replacement. In addition to MAT, osteochondral allografts (OCA) restore native type II hyaline cartilage and enable the treatment of large bone defects without the need for donor site harvesting, reducing patient morbidity. Moreover, allografts have proven utility in procedures like high tibial osteotomy and the management of chronic extensor mechanism disruptions, demonstrating their versatility in treating a wide range of knee injuries. Advances in tissue banking infrastructure have significantly improved the availability and reliability of allografts, with a specific highlight on the importance of donor screening and stringent quality control of allografts, which play a critical role in ensuring successful outcomes. Indian tissue banking guidelines, including the ROTTO-SOTTO protocols, establish standardized regulatory and operational requirements for allograft harvesting, screening, processing, preservation, storage, and distribution, thereby minimizing the risks associated with allograft transplantation. By reviewing global practices alongside the Indian approach, this chapter provides valuable insights into the evolving role of allografts in optimizing knee injury outcomes, emphasizing the importance of donor and graft quality in achieving long-term success.