OSTEOCHONDRAL AUTOGRAFT TRANSFER SYSTEM (OATS)

Cartilage plays a major role in the functionality of our joints. It serves as a shock absorber, cushioning the bones in a joint during impact. It also acts as a soft material that pads the joints and allows them to move smoothly. Unfortunately, age, heavy activity, and certain conditions can cause damage to the cartilage, which leads to pain and stiffness in the joints. One way of treating this is by Osteochondral Autograft Transfer System, also known as OATS.

OATS is a relatively straightforward procedure that is often performed arthroscopically. It is a cartilage transfer procedure that involves taking cartilage from a less essential, non-weight bearing part of the knee and using it to replace the damaged cartilage. There’s another cartilage transfer procedure called mosaicplasty that works similarly. The difference is that mosaicplasty uses a collage of multiple small plugs of cartilage, whereas OATS uses just one or two large plugs.

Because it can be done with fewer plug transfers, OATS is sometimes the better option. However, this procedure is not for everyone. It’s best for those under fifty, who have damaged cartilage due to trauma as opposed to age. In these cases, a person is more likely to have plenty of healthy cartilage available to use in the transfer. Most of our athletic clients fall into this category, so it’s usually a good fit for them. These are typically athletes that are involved in sports with lots of pivoting,