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Autologous chondrocyte implantation anteromedialization improves function for patients with patellar chondral defects
Patients with isolated symptomatic patellar chondral defects who underwent a combination of autologous chondrocyte implantation and anteromedialization had improved function and a low incidence of adverse events, according to recently published data.
Researchers studied 23 patients who had failed primary treatment for isolated patellar full-thickness articular cartilage defects and patellofemoral malalignment. The patients were treated with autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) and anteromedialization (AMZ) of the tibial tubercle at least 5 years previously. They assessed outcome scales, including the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Lysholm, modified Cincinnati Knee Rating System and 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) scores at baseline and final follow-up.
Patients showed significant improvements in the IKDC score, modified Cincinnati Knee Rating System score, Lysholm score and SF-12 score. According to study results, most patients had rated the surgery as good or excellent. Due to a 33% rate of periosteal hypertrophy, researchers found a reoperation rate was 40%. One patient underwent a patellofemoral arthroplasty due to failure at 5.9 years after surgery.
“Overall, the results of our longer term study provide evidence that ACI with AMZ is an effective and durable treatment option for symptomatic full-thickness chondral defects of the patella,” the researchers wrote. “Further studies are required to understand the relationship between the range of [tibial tubercle–trochlear groove distance] TT-TG value and the indications for or the amount of correction for AMZ in conjunction with ACI.”
Disclosure: One or more of the researchers received funding for statistical analysis and medical writing support from Sanofi Biosurgery.