Cryopreserved, Thin, Laser-Etched Osteochondral Allograft maintains the functional components of articular cartilage after 2 years of storage.

Background: Despite improvements in treatment options and techniques, articular cartilage repair continues to be a challenge for orthopedic surgeons. This study provides data to support that the 2-year Cryopreserved, Thin, Laser-Etched Osteochondral Allograft (T-LE Allograft) embodies the necessary viable cells, protein signaling, and extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold found in fresh cartilage in order to facilitate a positive clinical outcome for cartilage defect replacement and repair.

Methods: Viability testing was performed by digestion of the graft, and cells were counted using a trypan blue assay.