Subchondral Perfusion Mapping Using Indocyanin Green Laser

Laser Angiography using indocyanin green (ICG) is a relatively new technique and has been utilized to assess the viability of soft tissue, most prominently in the general surgery and plastic surgery literature. This technique has been used for prediction of soft tissue viability by assessing the perfusion status. There is currently no Orthopaedic literature regarding the use of this device for assessment of subchondral perfusion of articular surfaces such as the distal femur or other chondral surfaces. In this pilot study, the use of ICG to detect the perfusion status of a distal femur and proximal tibia during a surgical approach to the knee and correlating this to visible signs of arthritis. For example, due to the difference visible with ICG angiography correlate to gross changes in the cartilage health visible to the naked eye with radiographic imaging.