OATS Procedure — Osteochondral Allograft/Autograft Transplantation (OATS)

UW Health Sports Medicine · Marc Sherry, PT, LAT, CSCS; UW Sports Medicine physician group

Weight-Bearing

PWB 20-25% weeks 1-6; locked extension brace 0-6 weeks

Key Restrictions

PWB 20-25% for 6 weeks; locked extension brace 6 weeks; ROM exercises 4-6 hrs/day Phase I; ROM progression: 0-90° wks 1-2, 0-110° wks 3-4, 0-125° wks 5-6; CKC <60° knee flex Phase II; no impact until Phase III (~4 months)

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (0-6 wks): 20-25% PWB, locked brace, ROM 4-6 hrs/day; Phase II (7-12 wks): progressive WBAT, CKC <60°, no impact until 12 wks; Phase III (4 mo+): functional strengthening, non-impact cardio; Phase IV (6 mo+): impact, RTS (moderate impact 8 mo, high impact 10 mo)

Notes

OATS restores native hyaline cartilage vs. fibrocartilage from microfracture. Single large plug or multiple smaller plugs. Frequent ROM exercises (4-6 hrs/day) critical in Phase I. Gudas et al.: 93% OATS vs. 52% microfracture returned to prior sport level. Marc Sherry, PT, LAT, CSCS.

Surgeon / Author

Marc Sherry, PT, LAT, CSCS; UW Sports Medicine physician group

Published

2017-11