Delayed incorporation of a TruFit plug: perseverance is recommended.

TruFit plugs (Smith & Nephew, Andover, MA) are synthetic polymer scaffolds that are inserted into an articular surface to provide a stable scaffold to encourage the regeneration of a full thickness of articular cartilage to repair chondral defects. Our unit has shown promising early results for the repair of small articular cartilage defects within the knee. Other series have reported "failures" in which patients have complained of persistent symptoms and joint effusion at 6 months after plug insertion and arthroplasty has been undertaken.