Orthotopic Osteochondral Transplantation of the Canine Proximal Femur

An 18-week study was conducted to evaluate orthotopic osteochondral transplantation of the proximal femur in the dog. Eighteen dogs were divided into 3 groups of 6 each. The first group received autografts, the second received fresh allografts, and the third received grafts that had been frozen in a bone bank for 24–28 days. The grafts were fixed in position using dynamic compression plates. The grafted limbs were maintained in a sling and thus were nonfunctional and non-weight bearing throughout the 18-week study. Postoperatively the dogs were given oral tetracycline to assess osteo-cyte viability. The dogs were radiographed at 2–week intervals and 1 dog in each group was euthanatized every 3 weeks. The femurs were examined using standard histopathologic and fluorescent labeling techniques. All femoral heads were luxated by the 2nd postoperative week. The bones of all the femoral heads underwent avascular necrosis and degenerative changes were present in the transplanted cartilage by the 6th postoperative week. During the first 18 weeks following transplantation there was little radiographic and histologic difference among the 3 types of grafts regarding the nature and rate of bone healing. Based on the data obtained from techniques utilized in this study, the femoral head, neck, and articular cartilage did not survive, while the femoral diaphysis did survive the transplantation process. Different techniques may alter to some degree the results obtained.