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Autologous chondrocyte implantation has long-term benefits for knee cartilage lesions
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Recently published data have shown autologous chondrocyte implantation may be of benefit in the treatment of articular knee cartilage lesions over the long term.
Researchers included 104 patients undergoing autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) for symptomatic lesions of the articular cartilage of the knee between 1998 and 2001 in their prospective case series. The average duration of preoperative symptoms was 7.8 years, and the average of previous defect-related surgeries (microfracture, drilling, mosaicplasty or carbon fiber matrix-support prosthesis) was 1.3 years. Modified Cincinnati, Stanmore/Bentley and VAS pain values were assessed for pain and functional outcomes.
At a mean 5.7 years postoperatively, 73 patients had a successful graft, and 27 patients exhibited graft failure. Of the patients with successful grafts, 46 showed excellent results, 18 had good results, six had fair results and three had poor results.
Comparing preoperative values with those at 10-year follow-up, modified Cincinnati score increased from 42 to 65, Stanmore/Bentley score went from 3 to 2 and VAS values decreased from 5.5 to 3.5.
Overall, only two of the 100 patients were unsatisfied with the ACI technique for their lesions and would not undergo ACI again, according to the researchers.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.
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