Advanced Cartilage Repair in Adelaide

OATS / Mosaicplasty

Articular cartilage injuries can cause persistent knee pain, swelling, and catching, particularly in young athletes and active adults. Because cartilage has a limited natural ability to heal itself, specialised joint-preservation techniques are often required to repair the damage.

At Adelaide Knee Clinic, led by experienced Adelaide orthopaedic surgeon Dr Matthew Liptak, we utilise advanced restorative procedures like OATS / Mosaicplasty to treat isolated cartilage defects and preserve natural joint function.

What is OATS / Mosaicplasty?

OATS stands for Osteochondral Autograft Transfer System. The term Mosaicplasty is used when multiple small plugs of bone and cartilage are transferred together, resembling a mosaic tile pattern.

Unlike treatments that merely smooth down frayed cartilage, OATS / Mosaicplasty replaces missing cartilage with real, healthy living tissue. The procedure involves harvesting a small, cylindrical plug consisting of both healthy cartilage and its underlying bone from a low-weight-bearing, non-critical area of the patient's own knee. This plug is then precisely transferred into the damaged, high-weight-bearing area, restoring a smooth, continuous joint surface.

When is OATS / Mosaicplasty Recommended?

This highly specialised procedure is not suitable for everyone. It is specifically engineered for patients with focal, full-thickness cartilage defects rather than widespread joint wear.

OATS / Mosaicplasty is commonly indicated for:

Focal Cartilage Defects: Small, isolated areas of cartilage damage surrounded by healthy, normal joint tissue.
Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD): A condition where a segment of bone and its overlying cartilage thins or loosens due to a lack of blood flow.
Young, Active Patients: Individuals who wish to remain highly active but are limited by localised, post-traumatic knee pain.

Every knee is unique. During your clinical consultation, your doctor will thoroughly review your symptoms and joint imaging to determine whether this specific procedure is right for you, or discuss alternative treatment options that best suit your needs.

The Procedure

What to Expect

OATS / Mosaicplasty can be performed entirely arthroscopically (keyhole surgery) or through a mini-open incision, depending on the size and location of the cartilage defect.

1. Preparation

Dr Liptak utilises a high-definition arthroscopic camera to inspect the joint, measure the exact size of the cartilage defect, and prepare the recipient site.

2. Harvesting

A perfectly sized cylindrical core of bone and healthy cartilage is harvested from a donor site on the upper, outer edge of the knee joint.

3. Implantation

The core plug is gently pressed into the recipient hole until it sits completely flush with the neighbouring cartilage, recreating a smooth gliding surface.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

At Adelaide Knee Clinic, we view surgery and rehabilitation as an inseparable partnership.

Dr Matthew Liptak firmly believes that the surgery is only part of the job the rest depends entirely on a committed, structured recovery. Achieving your mobility and long-term joint health goals requires an equal commitment to both phases.

Access Our Post-Operative Recovery Resources

Because the transferred bone plug needs time to biologically bond and integrate securely into its new position, the recovery protocol requires meticulous joint protection:

Protected Weight-Bearing: Patients generally need to use crutches and remain strictly non-weight-bearing or partial weight-bearing for 4 to 6 weeks to shield the graft while it heals.
Early Range of Motion: While weight-bearing is restricted, gentle, controlled movement of the knee is introduced early under physical therapy supervision to keep the joint fluid moving and prevent stiffness.
Progressive Physical Therapy: Once the graft has integrated, a criteria-driven exercise programme is essential to safely rebuild the quadriceps and hamstrings, restore dynamic balance, and normalise your gait.

Understanding Surgical Risks and Considerations

Every major surgical procedure carries inherent risks, and it is important to evaluate them objectively before proceeding. Potential complications associated with ACL reconstruction, while uncommon, can include localised infection, blood clots (deep vein thrombosis), delayed wound healing, joint stiffness or loss of motion, graft failure or re-tear, kneecap pain, and temporary numbness around the incisions. Dr Liptak will thoroughly review these risks during your pre-operative appointment to ensure you can make a fully informed treatment choice.