scholarly journals Scaffolds for knee chondral lesions – indications and technical tips

2021 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 77-79
Author(s):  
Dawid Szwedowski ◽  
◽  
Marek Starczewski ◽  
Maciej Paszke ◽  
Maciej Jackowiak
Keyword(s):  
Articular Cartilage ◽  
Knee Joint ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Cartilage Repair ◽  
Tissue Regeneration ◽  
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation ◽  
Chondral Lesions ◽  
Chondrocyte Implantation ◽  
Autologous Chondrocyte

Chondral lesions following an injury to the knee joint have poor healing potential and may lead to osteoarthritis. Nowadays, more and more research is focused on tissue regeneration and the prevention of osteoarthritis development. Efforts to restore the articular cartilage using advanced procedures like autologous chondrocyte implantation led to the development of scaffolds. Although the use of a scaffold-based technique is a reliable and effective method of cartilage repair, only the appropriate qualification can lead to good clinical outcomes.

Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation for Bipolar Chondral Lesions in the Tibiofemoral Compartment

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 1371-1381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahiro Ogura ◽  
Tim Bryant ◽  
Brian A. Mosier ◽  
Tom Minas
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Cartilage Repair ◽  
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation ◽  
Collagen Membrane ◽  
Chondral Lesions ◽  
Chondrocyte Implantation ◽  
Osteoarthritis Progression ◽  
Autologous Chondrocyte

Background: Treating bipolar chondral lesions in the tibiofemoral (TF) compartment with cartilage repair procedures is challenging, and a suitable treatment remains unclear. Purpose: To evaluate clinical outcomes after autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) for the treatment of bipolar chondral lesions in the TF compartment. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: We evaluated 57 patients who underwent ACI for the treatment of symptomatic bipolar chondral lesions in the TF compartment by a single surgeon between October 1995 and June 2014. One patient did not return for follow-up. Thus, 56 patients (58 knees) were included with a minimum of 2 years’ follow-up. A mean of 3.1 lesions per knee were treated, representing a mean total surface area of 16.1 cm2 (range, 3.2-44.5 cm2) per knee. Bipolar lesions were present in the medial compartment (32 knees) and in the lateral compartment (26 knees). Patients were evaluated with the modified Cincinnati Knee Rating Scale, visual analog scale for pain, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and Short Form–36. Patients also answered questions regarding self-rated knee function and satisfaction with the procedure. Standard radiographs were evaluated with the Kellgren-Lawrence grading system. Results: The survival rate was 80% at 5 years and 76% at 10 years. A significantly better survival rate was found in patients with the use of a collagen membrane than periosteum (97% vs 61% at 5 years, respectively; P = .0014). Of 46 knees with retained grafts, all functional scores significantly improved postoperatively, with a very high satisfaction rate (91%) at a mean of 8.3 ± 5.1 years (range, 2-20 years) after ACI. At last follow-up, 24 of 46 successful knees were radiographically assessed (mean, 5.5 ± 4.0 years [range, 2.0-18.7 years]) and showed no significant osteoarthritis progression ( P = .3173). Outcomes for 12 patients were considered as failures at a mean of 4.1 years. Of these, 9 patients were converted to partial or total knee arthroplasty at a mean of 4.4 years. Two patients underwent revision ACI at 5 and 17 months. The other 1 patient did not require revision surgery. Conclusion: Our study showed that ACI for the treatment of bipolar chondral lesions in the TF compartment provided successful clinical outcomes in patients with retained grafts and possibly prevented or delayed osteoarthritis progression at midterm to long-term follow-up. A collagen membrane is more encouraging than periosteum for bipolar lesions in the TF compartment. While addressing the predisposing factors affecting cartilage repair, ACI could be an adequate salvage procedure for bipolar chondral lesions in the TF compartment for the relatively young arthritic patient who wishes to avoid arthroplasty.

Survival Analysis of Revision Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation for Failed ACI

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (13) ◽  
pp. 3212-3220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahiro Ogura ◽  
Tim Bryant ◽  
Gergo Merkely ◽  
Brian A. Mosier ◽  
Tom Minas
Keyword(s):  
Survival Analysis ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Cartilage Repair ◽  
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Successful Outcome ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Cartilage Lesions ◽  
Chondrocyte Implantation ◽  
Autologous Chondrocyte

Background: Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) provides a successful outcome for treating articular cartilage lesions. However, there have been very few reports on the clinical outcomes of revision ACI for failed ACI. Purpose: To evaluate clinical outcomes in patients who underwent revision ACI of the knee for failure of an initial ACI and to determine the factors affecting the survival rate. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A review of a prospectively collected data set was performed from patients who underwent revision ACI of the knee for failure of an initial ACI between 1995 and 2014 by a single surgeon. The authors evaluated 53 patients (53 knees; mean age, 38 years) over a mean 11.2-year follow-up (range, 2-20). A total of 62 cartilage lesions were treated for failed graft lesions after an initial ACI, and 31 new cartilage lesions were treated at revision ACI, as there was progression of disease. Overall, 93 cartilage lesions (mean, 1.8 lesions per knee) with a total surface area of 7.4 cm2 (range, 2.5-18 cm2) per knee were treated at revision ACI. Survival analysis was performed with the Kaplan-Meier method, with ACI graft failure or conversion to a prosthetic arthroplasty as the endpoint. The modified Cincinnati Knee Rating Scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, visual analog scale, and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey were used to evaluate clinical outcomes. Patients also self-reported knee function and satisfaction. Standard radiographs were evaluated with Kellgren-Lawrence grades. Results: Survival rates were 71% and 53% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Survival subanalysis revealed a trend that patients without previous cartilage repair procedures before an initial ACI had better survival rates than those with such procedures (81% vs 62% at 5 years, 64% vs 42% at 10 years, P = .0958). Patients with retained grafts showed significant improvement in pain and function, with a high level of satisfaction. At a mean 5.1 years postoperatively, 18 of 27 successful knees were radiographically assessed with no significant osteoarthritis progression. Outcomes for 26 patients were considered failures (mean, 4.9 years postoperatively), in which 15 patients had prosthetic arthroplasty (mean, 4.6 years) and the other 11 patients had revision cartilage repair (mean, 5.4 years) and thus could maintain their native knees. Conclusion: Results of revision ACI for patients who failed ACI showed acceptable clinical outcomes. Revision ACI may be an option for young patients after failed initial ACI, particularly patients without previous cartilage repair procedures and those who desire to maintain their native knees.

Microfracture Versus Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation for Articular Cartilage Lesions in the Knee: A Systematic Review of 5-Year Outcomes

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 995-999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Kraeutler ◽  
John W. Belk ◽  
Justin M. Purcell ◽  
Eric C. McCarty
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Articular Cartilage ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation ◽  
Patient Reported Outcome ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Chondrocyte Implantation ◽  
Autologous Chondrocyte

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.

A 20-Year Follow-up After First-Generation Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 2751-2761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahiro Ogura ◽  
Brian A. Mosier ◽  
Tim Bryant ◽  
Tom Minas
Keyword(s):  
Articular Cartilage ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Cartilage Defects ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Chondrocyte Implantation ◽  
Autologous Chondrocyte

Background: Treating articular cartilage defects is a demanding problem. Although several studies have reported durable and improved clinical outcomes after autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) over a long-term period, there is no report with over 20 years’ follow-up. Purpose: To evaluate clinical outcomes after first-generation ACI for the treatment of knees with disabling, large single and multiple cartilage defects for which patients wished to avoid prosthetic arthroplasty, with a minimum of 20 years’ follow-up. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: The authors reviewed prospectively collected data from 23 patients (24 knees; mean age, 35.4 years [range, 13-52 years]) undergoing ACI for the treatment of symptomatic, full-thickness articular cartilage lesions. A mean of 2.1 lesions per knee were treated over a mean total surface area of 11.8 cm2 (range, 2.4-30.5 cm2) per knee. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and functional outcome scores, including the modified Cincinnati Knee Rating System, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Short Form–36 (SF-36), were used. Patients also self-reported an improvement in pain with a visual analog scale and a satisfaction survey. Results: The 20-year survival rate was 63% (95% CI, 40%-78%). The evaluation of the 15 knees with retained grafts demonstrated that all clinical scores except the WOMAC subscore for stiffness and SF-36 mental component summary score improved significantly and were sustained to 20 years postoperatively. Ninety-three percent of these patients rated knee-specific outcomes as good or excellent. The outcomes for 9 of 24 knees were considered failures, including 5 undergoing revision ACI and 4 being converted to arthroplasty at a mean of 1.7 and 5.9 years, respectively. Only 1 of 5 knees that underwent revision ACI was converted to arthroplasty at 1.9 years after the index surgery, and the other 4 patients were able to maintain their biological knee. Overall, 20 years later, 79% of patients maintained their native knee, for which they initially sought treatment, and were satisfied when evaluated. Conclusion: First-generation ACI provided satisfactory survival rates and significant clinical improvements over a 20-year follow-up, which offers an important standard for comparison with newer-generation ACI technologies of the future.

A Systematic Review of Reporting of Rehabilitation in Articular-Cartilage-Repair Studies of Third-Generation Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation in the Knee

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 182-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Bright ◽  
Karen Hambly
Keyword(s):  
Articular Cartilage ◽  
Cartilage Repair ◽  
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation ◽  
Evidence Synthesis ◽  
Third Generation ◽  
Articular Cartilage Repair ◽  
U Statistics ◽  
Chondrocyte Implantation ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Autologous Chondrocyte

Context:Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is a tissue-engineered surgical technique initially developed for articular cartilage repair of isolated chondral lesions of the knee. Third-generation techniques (ACI3) are now available that deliver autologous cultured chondrocytes into the defect using cell scaffolds. The successful outcomes of these techniques have some dependency on presurgical and postsurgical patient rehabilitation.Objectives:To determine if the standard of reporting for rehabilitation has improved in ACI3 studies; previous reviews in this field recommended describing the detail of this rehabilitation and patient compliance as integral elements.Evidence Acquisition:A computerized search was performed in March 2013. Criteria for inclusion were any studies that evaluated or described the process of ACI3 in the knee and subsequent rehabilitation. The modified Coleman Methodology Score (CMS) was used to rate the standard of reporting of rehabilitation and surgical procedures; review articles were also evaluated for quality using the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT). Mean scores, odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and Mann-Whitney U statistics were calculated.Evidence Synthesis:An improvement in mean CMS was seen compared with previous reviews, but rehabilitation reporting scores were lower than their surgical equivalent; significant association was seen between studies with rehabilitator involvement and high scores in the individual CMS rehabilitation element. Predominant SORT scores of 2A indicated medium strength of recommendation.Conclusions:The CMS provides a general overview of methodological quality, but a more specialized tool to report on the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the rehabilitation process would help raise the standards. It is recommended that rehabilitation therapists be included as key members of research teams and be involved in the design, implementation, and reporting of future studies.

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