Osteochondral Transplantation

Distal Femoral Plug Allograft

Osteochondral transplantation was developed through years of clinical and scientific research.

Dr. Bugbee specializes in joint reconstruction including new methods in biological restoration using osteochondral grafting and other methods. Dr. Bugbee also treats arthritis with total hip and knee replacement.

History: Biological reconstruction of joints have a extensive clinical history, dating back to Erich Lexer's pioneering work in hte early twentieth century. Transplantation of small-fragment fresh allografts evolved

into a routine procedure of choice at certain institutions in North America in the 1970s and has since undergone a renaissance as a result of renewed clinical interest and scientific investigation. Subsequently, refinements in transplantation protocols, increased availability of fresh donor tissue, as well as physician and patient demand have driven an emerging trend toward biologic resurfacing as an alternative to prosthetic joint replacement and restoration in a select patient population. The Bugbee Method is a technique developed by Dr. Bugbee over many years in both the Laboratory and ithrough practical application in the operating room.

Although there are several reparative and restorative options for cartilage replacement, osteochondral allografting remains the only biomimetic technique (emulating normal biology) that restores architecturally appropriate, mature hyaline cartilage in acquired articular cartilage defects.

Currently, fresh osteochondral allografts are utilized to treat a broad spectrum of articular and osteoarticular lesions ranging from focal chondral defects to established osteoarthrosis. Allografts also have been successfully utilized in the treatment of disease in the ankle joint and, to a lesser extent, in the hip joint and the shoulder. Dr. Bugbee is a pioneer of new and innovative techniques in this area of medicine.