MACI offers positive outcomes for treating osteochondral defects

Issue: October 2014

CHICAGO — Matrix-induced autologous implantation was shown to produce positive long-term outcomes in treating patients with osteochondral defects of the talus, according to data presented at the International Federation of Foot & Ankle Societies Triennial Meeting.

Researchers surveyed nine patients with full-thickness lesions of the talus to determine whether matrix-induced autologous implantation (MACI) was an effective long-term treatment of osteochondral talus defects. Follow-up took place preoperatively and again at 1, 2 and 7 years postoperatively. Patient satisfaction was quantified using the AOFAS hindfoot evaluation and the SF-36 Health Survey.

Patients underwent an average of 1.7 previous procedures before MACI. AOFAS hindfoot scores were 61.2 preoperatively, 73.3 at 2 years and 78.3 at 7 years postoperatively. Compared to preoperative evaluation, SF-36 data also showed significant improvement in physical functioning and bodily pain at 7 year follow-up, according to the researchers.

Despite the expanded length of follow-up, all differences between 2-year and 7-year follow-up were not found to be statistically significant.
Significance notwithstanding, study author Christoper D. Kreulen, MD, continued to have a positive outlook for the data.

“With successful long-term results, we continue to recommend MACI as a viable option for those patients who have failed initial [treatment methods],” Kreulen said during his presentation. — by Christian Ingram

Reference: Kreulen CD. 7-year follow-up of matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation of talus articular defects. Presented at: International Federation of Foot & Ankle Societies Triennial Meeting; Sept. 19-21, 2014; Chicago.

Disclosure: Kreulen has no relevant financial disclosures.