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Background: This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR) between anatomic femoral tunnel positions at anterior and posterior footprints. Methods: Fifty-seven patients who underwent MPFLR for patellofemoral instability with anterior or posterior femoral tunnels between 2014 and 2021 with at least 2 years of follow-up were retrospectively analyzed. Based on postoperative images, the femoral tunnel positions anterior to the line connecting the adductor tubercle and medial epicondyle were assigned to the anterior group, group A, and those posterior to the line to the posterior group, group P. Thirty-two patients were included in group A (mean age, 22.4 ± 8.8 years), and another 25 patients were included in group P (mean age, 21.1 ± 6.1 years). The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, Lysholm score, Tegner activity score, Kujala score, and complications were evaluated. Radiologically, the Caton–Deschamps index (CDI), patellar tilt angle, and patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) using the Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) scale were evaluated. The patellofemoral cartilage status according to the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade, bone contusion, femoral tunnel enlargement, and MPFL graft signal intensity were also evaluated. Results: All clinical scores significantly improved in both groups (p < 0.01). No differences were noted between the two groups in terms of their preoperative demographic data, postoperative clinical scores (IKDC, Lysholm, Tegner, and Kujala), complications, or radiological findings (CDI, patellar tilt angle, PFOA, bone contusion, femoral tunnel enlargement, and graft signal intensity). The ICRS grade for the medial facet of the patella progressed in group A (30%, p = 0.02) but not in group P (18%, p = n.s.). Additionally, no significant differences were observed in the other compartments of the patellofemoral joint. Conclusions: The clinical outcomes were significantly improved in both groups; however, MPFLR with anterior femoral tunnel position had worse cartilage status on the medial facet of the patella than the posterior femoral tunnel position. Level of evidence: Level III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate clinical, radiographic, and magnetic resonance (MR) results of costal chondrocyte-derived pellet-type scaffold-free autologous chondrocyte implantation (CCP-ACI) in osteochondral defects (ODs) up to 10-mm depth during 5 years of follow-up. Methods: Ten patients with CCP-ACI performed in ODs with depth up to 10 mm were retrospectively analyzed. The minimum follow-up period was 5 years. The median age was 36.5 (range 20–55) years. The median size and the depth of the OD lesion were 4.25 cm2 (range 2–6) and 7.0 mm (6–9), respectively. Clinically, the International Knee Documentation Committee, Lysholm, and visual analog scale pain scores were evaluated. Radiographically, the hip‒knee‒ankle (HKA) angle and the Kellgren‒Lawrence (K‒L) grade were assessed. On MR imaging, the magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) 2.0 score and the defect depth were evaluated. Results: All average clinical scores improved significantly by 1, 2, and 5 years postoperatively. The average HKA angle and the proportion of K‒L grade did not change significantly within 5 years. The median total MOCART scores were 50 (range 45–65), 50 (35–90), 57.5 (40–90), and 65 (50–85) at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 5 years postoperatively, respectively (p = 0.001), with significant improvement at 2 years compared to that at 6 months postoperatively. The signal intensity of the repair tissue and subchondral change significantly improved from 10 (range 10–10) to 12.5 (10–15) (p = 0.036), and from 10 (10–10) to 17.5 (0–20) (p = 0.017), respectively. Significant improvements were seen at 5 years postoperatively for the former and at 2 years postoperatively for the latter. The average depths on MR imaging were 6.7, 6.7, 6.8, 6.6, and 6.6 mm preoperatively and at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 5 years postoperatively with no significant changes (n.s). Conclusion: CCP-ACI provided acceptable mid-term outcomes in ODs up to 10-mm in depth without bone grafting despite of no scaffold. The procedure can be one of minimally invasive treatment options for ODs without scaffold-related problems. Level of evidence: IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]