Osteochondral Autologous Transfer (OATS) - Foot Problems Message Board

tallpaul26 · 11-03-2008, 05:44 PM

I've recently been diagnosed with an Osteochondral defect and am looking into different treatment options, mainly auto- and/or allografts. I have seen Dr. Raikin at Rothman Institute in Philadelphia and am scheduled to see Dr. Kennedy at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. Has anyone had an ankle graft of the Talus bone done by either of these surgeons who can share their experience with me? Your input is greatly appreciated.

K_Lana · 11-03-2008, 06:23 PM

Tall Paul,

I'm in SC, so I'm not familiar with those drs. Do a search on this board though and you'll get plenty of info from Kim, Abby, Margaret, and my experiences.

tallpaul26 · 11-03-2008, 06:28 PM

Would you recommend the autograft based on your experience?

demogoat · 11-03-2008, 07:57 PM

Hey TallPaul,

Sorry to read you need advice but welcome! There is a man (BostonSteve) who occasionally posts here and also at the knee guru board who had OATS knee to ankle performed by Dr. Kennedy. BostonSteve lives in Boston but goes to NY to see Dr. Kennedy and in his words Dr. Kennedy is 'the Michael Jordan' of OATS surgery. He raves about him and his expertise.

I personally was never offered the cadaver transfer so I am not much help there. What else can we tell you about?

Margaret

kimberp · 11-04-2008, 08:07 AM

Paul,

I had my OATS surgery 13 weeks ago and Dr. Kennedy was the first OS I had seen but at the time he didn't take any insurance and I just couldn't lay out the $45k minimum out of pocket he would take to do the surgery.

Perhaps things have changed in the last year with what he accepts though so I would definitely check it out .. he is supposed to be good but as with anyone, I've heard success stories with him and not so successful stories with him.

My OS would not use an allograft because he said it would never be as 'fresh' as it needed to be and there is a higher risk of non-union because of the foreign tissue. He has had better results with autograft ... so far for me things seem to be moving along well at 13 weeks post op. My knee feels good and my ankle is coming along.

Good luck!
Kim