Table 1.

Pearls and Pitfalls

Pearls

If the recipient site is not prepared perpendicularly to the cartilage surface, match the same angulation difference when harvesting the graft from the donor site.

Rongeur the graft to a depth 1 mm shorter than the prepared recipient site to ensure a flush surface.

When seating the graft, ensure proper orientation to match any angulation.

When obtaining donor graft, perform one-quarter turns to help ensure smooth removal of the graft from the donor site.

Pitfalls

Flex the knee appropriately to achieve perpendicularity and avoid angulation of the recipient or donor site.

When selecting the donor site, identify the sulcus terminalis to avoid graft harvest from a weight-bearing zone.