The Sports Docs Podcast
Sports medicine is a constantly evolving field, with hundreds of new articles published each month on the topic. This ever-growing wealth of information can make it challenging to stay updated on the newest approaches and techniques, and to know which data should actually change your practice. Join orthopedic surgeons, Dr. Catherine Logan and Dr. Ashley Bassett, as they chat about the most recent developments in sports medicine and dissect through all the noise.
On each episode of The Sports Docs podcast, the hosts will tackle a specific injury – from ACL tears to shoulder instability – and review the top research from various high-impact journals that month, including The American Journal of Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Sports Health, Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, and more. The Sports Docs will also be joined by experts in the field of sports medicine – orthopedic surgeons, nonoperative sports medicine specialists, athletes, physical therapists, athletic trainers and others – to provide a fresh and well-rounded perspective based on their unique experiences.
The Sports Docs – Dr. Logan & Dr. Bassett – are friends & former co-residents from the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program, who went onto esteemed sports medicine fellowships at The Steadman Clinic and The Rothman Institute, respectively. Dr. Logan practices in Denver, CO, and serves as Team Physician for Men's USA Lacrosse & as a Team Physician for U.S. Ski & Snowboard. Dr. Bassett is the director of the Women’s Sports Medicine Center at the Orthopedic Institute of New Jersey and practices across northern NJ, primarily in Morris and Sussex Counties.
Together, they will bring monthly conversations on how to care for athletes of all ages and levels of play, with a healthy mix of cutting-edge science and real-world application.
The Sports Docs Podcast
186: From Defect to Comeback: Modern Cartilage Treatment Strategies: Dr. Aaron Krych LIVE at AOSSM 2026
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Recorded live from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) Annual Meeting in Seattle, Dr. Aaron Krych joins Drs. Catherine Logan and Ashley Bassett for an in-depth discussion on the rapidly evolving field of cartilage restoration. The conversation explores how treatment has shifted from simply filling cartilage defects to restoring the entire knee joint through comprehensive patient evaluation, biologic innovations, and advanced surgical techniques.
The Evolution of Cartilage Restoration
- Why focal cartilage defects should be viewed as a "whole joint disease"
- Moving beyond isolated microfracture
- The growing importance of correcting alignment, instability, and meniscal deficiency
- Earlier intervention in young athletic patients to preserve long-term joint health
Understanding Natural History
- Why untreated cartilage defects can enlarge over time
- Risk factors for lesion progression and development of secondary cartilage injuries
- Counseling patients on long-term consequences and timing of intervention
Modern Treatment Algorithms
- Why strict size-based algorithms are becoming less relevant
- Patient-specific factors influencing procedure selection:
- Age
- Activity level
- Defect size and location
- Subchondral bone involvement
- Previous surgery
- Overall joint health
Diagnostic Evaluation
- The expanding role of advanced MRI
- When diagnostic arthroscopy remains essential
- Emerging applications of nano-arthroscopy for:
- Preoperative lesion evaluation
- Assessment of graft incorporation
- Evaluation of persistent postoperative symptoms
Single-Stage Cartilage Restoration Techniques
AutoCart
- Single-stage autologous cartilage restoration
- Surgical technique pearls
- Cartilage harvest using GraftNet technology
- PRP/BMAC augmentation
- Technical considerations for successful implantation
Osteochondral Options
- When bone involvement changes the treatment strategy
- Indications for:
- Osteochondral Autograft Transfer (OATS)
- Fresh Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation
- Choosing between autograft and allograft techniques
Alignment Matters
- Why cartilage restoration cannot succeed in an overloaded compartment
- Indications for combining osteotomy with cartilage restoration
- Medial high tibial osteotomy (HTO)
- Distal femoral osteotomy (DFO)
- Benefits of patient-specific instrumentation for osteotomy planning and execution
Lessons Learned
Dr. Krych shares valuable experience on why successful cartilage restoration depends on more than the graft itself.
Key factors influencing outcomes include:
- Proper patient selection
- Mechanical alignment
- Knee stability
- Meniscal integrity
- Patient commitment to rehabilitation
Key Takeaways
- Cartilage restoration has evolved from treating isolated defects to preserving the entire joint.
- Modern decision-making is individualized rather than based solely on defect size.
- Addressing alignment, instability, and meniscal deficiency is often just as important as restoring cartilage.
- Biologic augmentation and single-stage procedures continue to expand treatment options.
- Successful outcomes rely on appropriate patient selection and meticulous surgical technique.
Featured Guest
Dr. Aaron Krych is an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon at Mayo Clinic specializing in cartilage restoration, complex knee preservation, ligament reconstruction, and sports-related injuries. His clinical expertise and research have helped shape many of today's modern cartilage restoration strategies.
Subscribe to The Sports Docs Podcast for conversations with leaders in orthopedic sports medicine, surgery, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and athlete performance.
www.cloganmd.com
https://orthopedicnj.com/physicians/ashley-bassett