Long-term Results of Matrix-assisted Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation Combined With Autologous Bone Grafting for the Treatment of Juvenile Osteochondritis Dissecans.

Background: Osteochondritis dissecans is a pathology affecting young patients that involves the entire osteochondral unit. In the case of unfixable fragments, regenerative cartilage treatments are a viable solution, but little is known about the use of these procedures for the treatment of juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term results offered by matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte transplantation combined with autologous bone grafting for the treatment of JOCD.

Cartilage failures. Systematic literature review, critical survey analysis, and definition.

Purpose: While midterm results of matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT) are now available, less attention has been paid to the evaluation of failures of this surgical approach. Aim of this study was to analyse how "failures" are generally defined in cartilage surgery, in order to understand how the survival rate may change according to different definitions of failure.

Methods: A systematic review on MACT in the knee was conducted to report failure rates as well as different failure definitions in the available literature.

Autologous osteochondral transplantation for the treatment of knee lesions: results and limitations at two years' follow-up.

Purpose: Focal chondral and osteochondral knee lesions are a common condition, particularly hard to treat, and often involve young active patients with high expectations in terms of symptomatic relief and return to sports. Autologous osteochondral transplantation allows the defect area to be restored with hyaline cartilage. The aim of this study is to analyse whether it represents a safe and effective treatment option for small-medium-sized knee chondral and osteochondral lesions in a young and active population.

A one-step treatment for chondral and osteochondral knee defects: clinical results of a biomimetic scaffold implantation at 2 years of follow-up.

The increasing interest in the role of subchondral bone with regard to articular surface disease led to the development of new bioengineered strategies. Aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and MRI outcome after the implantation of a nanostructured biomimetic three-phasic collagen-hydroxyapatite construct for the treatment of chondral and osteochondral defects of the knee in a large cohort of patients. Seventy-nine patients (63 M, 16 W), affected by grade III-IV femoral condyle or trochlea chondral lesions or osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) were consecutively treated.

Clinical profiling in cartilage regeneration: prognostic factors for midterm results of matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte transplantation.

Background: Matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT) was developed to overcome the limitations of first-generation autologous chondrocyte implantation. Although short-term/midterm results are now available for a small series of patients, the literature still lacks studies on large cohorts of patients evaluated at midterm/long-term follow-up.

Purpose: Not all patients can have the same benefit from this procedure.

Is the clinical outcome after cartilage treatment affected by subchondral bone edema?

Purpose: Subchondral bone edema is a common finding after cartilage treatment, but its interpretation is still debated. The aim of this study is to analyse the presence of edema after matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT) for knee cartilage lesions at different follow-up times and its correlation with the clinical outcome.

Methods: Two hundred and forty-eight magnetic resonance imagings (MRIs) of patients treated with a hyaluronic acid-based MACT for lesions of the knee articular surface were considered.

Second-generation arthroscopic autologous chondrocyte implantation for the treatment of degenerative cartilage lesions.

Purpose: Degenerative cartilage lesions present a negative joint environment, which may have a negative effect on the process of cartilage regeneration. The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical outcome obtained with the treatment for isolated degenerative knee cartilage lesions by second-generation arthroscopic autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI).

Methods: Fifty-eight consecutive patients affected by focal degenerative chondral lesions of the femoral condyles and trochlea were treated by second-generation arthroscopic ACI.