scholarly journals Long-term clinical results and MRI changes after autologous chondrocyte implantation in the knee of young and active middle aged patients

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donato Rosa ◽  
Giovanni Balato ◽  
Giovanni Ciaramella ◽  
Ernesto Soscia ◽  
Giovanni Improta ◽  
...  
Author(s):  
Marco Calvi ◽  
Marco Curti ◽  
Christian Ossola ◽  
Marta Duvia ◽  
Maria Gloria Angeretti ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To evaluate the long-term evolution of matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) with magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography and verify the correlation between radiological and clinical findings. Materials and methods Twenty-six patients (20 m/6f) were diagnosed with knee chondral injuries and treated with MACI implantation. Each patient received MR arthrography and clinical examination at mid-term (range 22–36 months) and long term (range 96–194 months) after surgery. MR arthrography was performed with dedicated coil and a 1.5-Tesla MR unit. The modified MOCART scale was used to evaluate the status of chondral implants. Implant coating, integration to the border zone, and the surface and structure of the repaired tissue were evaluated. Presence of bone marrow oedema was evaluated. The Cincinnati Knee Rating System (CKRS) was used for clinical assessment. Results At long term, 4/26 patients had complete alignment; 5/26 had a complete integration of the margins; in 4/26 cases, the implant surface was undamaged; in 14/26 cases, the reparative tissue was homogeneous. In 9/26 cases, the implant showed isointense signal compared to articular cartilage, while the presence of subchondral bone oedema was documented in 19/26 cases. The average radiological score decreased from 59.2 (mid-term) to 38.6 (long term). The average clinical score decreased from 8.9 to 8.3. Conclusions Decrease in clinical results was not significant (0.6 points p = .06), but mMOCART scores decreased significantly (p = .00003). Although imaging studies showed deterioration of the grafts, the patients did not have significant clinical deterioration (231/250).


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 1066-1074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahiro Ogura ◽  
Tim Bryant ◽  
Tom Minas

Background: Treating symptomatic articular cartilage lesions is challenging, especially in adolescent patients, because of longer life expectancies and higher levels of functional activity. For this population, long-term outcomes after autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) remain to be determined. Purpose: To evaluate long-term outcomes in adolescents after ACI using survival analyses, validated outcome questionnaires, and standard radiographs. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: We performed a review of prospectively collected data from patients who underwent ACI between 1996 and 2013. We evaluated 27 patients aged <18 years old (29 knees; mean age, 15.9 years) who were treated by a single surgeon for symptomatic, full-thickness articular cartilage lesions over a mean 9.6-year follow-up (median, 13 years; range, 2-19 years). A mean of 1.5 lesions per knee were treated over a mean total surface area of 6.2 cm2 (range, 2.0-23.4 cm2) per knee. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, with graft failure as the end point. The modified Cincinnati Knee Rating Scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, visual analog scale, and Short Form 36 scores were used to evaluate clinical outcomes. Patients also self-reported knee function and satisfaction. Standard radiographs were evaluated using Kellgren-Lawrence grades. Results: Both 5- and 10-year survival rates were 89%. All clinical scores improved significantly postoperatively. A total of 96% of patients rated knee function as better after surgery, and all patients indicated that they would undergo the same surgery again. Approximately 90% rated knee-specific outcomes as good or excellent and were satisfied with the procedure. At last follow-up, 12 of 26 successful knees were radiographically assessed (mean, 5.6 years postoperatively), with no significant osteoarthritis progression. Three knees were considered failures, which were managed by autologous bone grafting or osteochondral autologous transplantation. Twenty knees required subsequent surgical procedures. These were primarily associated with periosteum and were arthroscopically performed. Conclusion: ACI resulted in satisfactory survival rates and significant improvements in function, pain, and mental health for adolescent patients over a long-term follow-up. ACI was associated with very high satisfaction postoperatively, despite the subsequent procedure rate being relatively high primarily because of the use of periosteum. If periosteum is used, this rate should be a consideration when discussing ACI with patients and their parents.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (9) ◽  
pp. 1099-1105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher G. Lenz ◽  
Shu Tan ◽  
Andrew L. Carey ◽  
Kaenson Ang ◽  
Timothy Schneider

Background: Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) is an established treatment method for larger joints and has shown promising results in the ankle as well. We present a series of patients after ankle MACI with long-term follow-up of clinical and radiological outcomes. Methods: We present the follow-up of 15 patients who underwent MACI grafting from August 2003 to February 2006. The mean follow-up was 12.9 years. Clinical evaluations were conducted using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS), Foot and Ankle Activity Measurement (FAAM), and visual analog scale (VAS) scoring systems and the magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) scoring system for radiological evaluation. Results: The mean size of the talar osteochondral defects was 204 mm2. We found a significant improvement in mean AOFAS score from 60 preoperatively to a mean of 84 at 12 years postoperatively. The 12-year FAAM score for Activities of Daily Living was 89% (range, 62%-99%). The mean 12-year MOCART score was 65 points (range, 30-100 points) with significant agreement between assessors ( P < .001). However, the MOCART scores did not correlate with the FAAM scores ( P = .86). Conclusion: Considering our long-term follow-up, we believe MACI is a reliable treatment method for talar osteochondral defects providing lasting pain relief and satisfying clinical results. However, with an equivalent outcome, but at higher costs, and the requirement for 2 operative procedures, the results do not seem to be superior to other established methods. The clinical utility of the MOCART score requires further scrutiny since we were not able to show any correlation between the score and clinical outcome. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.


2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 995-999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Kraeutler ◽  
John W. Belk ◽  
Justin M. Purcell ◽  
Eric C. McCarty

Background: Microfracture (MFx) and autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) are 2 surgical treatment options used to treat articular cartilage injuries of the knee joint. Purpose: To compare the midterm to long-term clinical outcomes of MFx versus ACI for focal chondral defects of the knee. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase to locate studies (level of evidence I-III) comparing the minimum average 5-year clinical outcomes of patients undergoing MFx versus ACI. Search terms used were “knee,” “microfracture,” “autologous chondrocyte implantation,” and “autologous chondrocyte transplantation.” Patients were evaluated based on treatment failure rates, magnetic resonance imaging, and patient-reported outcome scores (Lysholm, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS], and Tegner scores). Results: Five studies (3 level I evidence, 2 level II evidence) were identified that met the inclusion criteria, including a total of 210 patients (211 lesions) undergoing MFx and 189 patients (189 lesions) undergoing ACI. The average follow-up among all studies was 7.0 years. Four studies utilized first-generation, periosteum-based ACI (P-ACI), and 1 study utilized third-generation, matrix-associated ACI (M-ACI). Treatment failure occurred in 18.5% of patients undergoing ACI and 17.1% of patients undergoing MFx ( P = .70). Lysholm and KOOS scores were found to improve for both groups across studies, without a significant difference in improvement between the groups. The only significant difference in patient-reported outcome scores was found in the 1 study using M-ACI in which Tegner scores improved to a significantly greater extent in the ACI group compared with the MFx group ( P = .003). Conclusion: Patients undergoing MFx or first/third-generation ACI for articular cartilage lesions in the knee can be expected to experience improvement in clinical outcomes at midterm to long-term follow-up without any significant difference between the groups.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 232596711769359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew N. Pike ◽  
Tim Bryant ◽  
Takahiro Ogura ◽  
Tom Minas

Background: Cartilage injury associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures is common; however, relatively few reports exist on concurrent cartilage repair with ACL reconstruction. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has been utilized successfully for treatment of moderate to large chondral defects. Hypothesis: ACL insufficiency with relatively large chondral defects may be effectively managed with concurrent ACL reconstruction and ACI. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Patients undergoing concurrent ACL primary or revision reconstruction with ACI of single or multiple cartilage defects were prospectively evaluated for a minimum 2 years. Pre- and postoperative outcome measures included the modified Cincinnati Rating Scale (MCRS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, visual analog pain scales, and postsurgery satisfaction surveys. ACI graft failure or persistent pain without functional improvement were considered treatment failures. Results: Twenty-six patients were included, with 13 primary and 13 revision ACL reconstructions performed. Mean defect total surface area was 8.4 cm2, with a mean follow-up of 95 months (range, 24-240 months). MCRS improved from 3.62 ± 1.42 to 5.54 ± 2.32, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index from 45.31 ± 17.27 to 26.54 ± 17.71, and visual analog pain scale from 6.19 ± 1.27 to 3.65 ± 1.77 (all Ps <.001). Eight patients were clinical failures, 69% of patients were improved at final follow-up, and 92% stated they would likely undergo the procedure again. No outcome correlation was found with regard to age, body mass index, sex, defect size/number, follow-up time, or primary versus revision ACL reconstruction. In subanalysis, revision ACL reconstructions had worse preoperative MCRS scores and greater defect surface areas. However, revision MCRS score improvements were greater, resulting in similar final functional scores when compared with primary reconstructions. Conclusion: Challenging cases of ACL tears with large chondral defects treated with concurrent ACL reconstruction and ACI can lead to moderately improved pain and function at long-term follow-up. Factors associated with clinical failure are not clear. When combined with ACI, patients undergoing revision ACL reconstructions have worse function preoperatively compared with those undergoing primary reconstructions but have similar final outcomes.


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