Does the Choice of Acellular Scaffold and Augmentation With Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate Affect Short-term Outcomes in Cartilage Repair? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Matrix-induced chondrogenesis (MIC) is a promising treatment option for critical-size cartilage lesions of the knee; however, there exists substantial heterogeneity in the choice of acellular scaffold matrix for MIC cartilage repairs.

Hypothesis: The choice of acellular matrix will not affect patient outcomes after MIC cartilage repair procedures, and the addition of concentrated bone marrow aspirate (cBMA) will improve short-term patient outcomes regardless of matrix choice.

Study Design: Meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4.