Osteochondral Autograft Transplantation Surgery (OATS)
The joints in the body undergo wear and tear over the years. Since cartilage does not self-repair, this cushion between the joint bones can become worn and thin, allowing friction to occur. One option to preserve the natural joint is to undergo osteochondral autograft transplantation surgery, or OATS. Dr. Kerisimasi Reynolds is an experienced orthopedic surgeon in San Jose who offers OATS for his patients for joint preservation.
What is OATS?
Once the cartilage is worn thin or damaged, pain, swelling and lack of mobility of the joint is common. For those who are too young for joint replacement or want to avoid replacement, osteochondral autograft transplantation surgery, or OATS, can be an option to reduce pain and improve joint function. This surgery is most commonly performed on knee joints but can be a solution for other joints as well.
OATS is used to replace lost bone and cartilage in joints by harvesting bone and cartilage from donor areas in the patient’s body. The damaged cartilage lining is removed and replaced with the donor cartilage; a bone graft may also be performed to improve the function of the joint. Since the cartilage and bone used is from the patient, there is no risk of rejection, as can occur with donor samples from another body.
The best candidates for OATS are active adults under the age of fifty with damaged cartilage from injury or trauma. This procedure can slow joint degeneration or delay the need for replacement surgery. Many athletes and active people have had excellent results using OATS, reducing pain and improving their joint function.
Dr. Reynolds offers many innovative orthopedic options for his patients, preferring minimally-invasive treatments when possible. OATS, or osteochondral autograft transplantation surgery, is one of the joint preservation treatments available through Dr. Reynolds at his practice in San Jose. Contact our orthopedic surgery practice today to schedule a consultation to learn more about OATS or other treatment options.
