Predictors of fracture healing in patients with recalcitrant nonunions treated with autologous culture expanded bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells.

The study reports the prospective outcome of treating severe recalcitrant fracture nonunion in patients with autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSC) from 2003 to 2010 and analyze predictors of union. Autologous BMSC were culture expanded and inserted at nonunion site with or without carriers in addition to surgical stabilization of the fracture. Radiological union was ascertained by musculoskeletal radiologists on plain radiographs and/or CT scans.

Efficacy and safety of autologous cell therapies for knee cartilage defects (autologous stem cells, chondrocytes or the two): randomized controlled trial design.

Aim: The main aim of this trial is to test the safety and efficacy of autologous stromal/stem cells, chondrocytes or the two combined in the treatment of knee cartilage defects.

Patients & Methods: Patients with symptomatic chondral/osteochondral defects will be randomized to cell therapy treatment with one of three cell populations (1:1:1). The primary efficacy outcome is a functional knee score (Lysholm) at 15 months post-treatment and the primary safety outcome is the incidence of adverse events.

Autologous Bone Plug Supplemented With Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation in Osteochondral Defects of the Knee.

Background: Structural and functional outcome of bone graft with first- or second-generation autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) in treating cartilage and subchondral bone defect has not been reported previously.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of simultaneous transplantation of an autologous bone plug with first- or second-generation ACI for restoration of concomitant subchondral bone and full-thickness cartilage defect in the femoral condyle of the knee.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Midterm to long-term longitudinal outcome of autologous chondrocyte implantation in the knee joint: a multilevel analysis.

Background: Autologous chondrocyte implantation is a cell therapeutic approach for the treatment of chondral and osteochondral defects in the knee joint. The authors previously reported on the histologic and radiologic outcome of autologous chondrocyte implantation in the short- to midterm, which yields mixed results.

Purpose: The objective is to report on the clinical outcome of autologous chondrocyte implantation for the knee in the midterm to long term.

Autologous chondrocyte implantation for cartilage repair: monitoring its success by magnetic resonance imaging and histology.

Autologous chondrocyte implantation is being used increasingly for the treatment of cartilage defects. In spite of this, there has been a paucity of objective, standardised assessment of the outcome and quality of repair tissue formed. We have investigated patients treated with autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), some in conjunction with mosaicplasty, and developed objective, semiquantitative scoring schemes to monitor the repair tissue using MRI and histology.