Sporting Activity Is Reduced 11 Years After First-Generation Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation in the Knee Joint.

Background: Little is known about long-term sporting activity after periosteal autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI-P) and its correlation to clinical, morphological, and ultrastructural cartilage characteristics on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Purpose: To evaluate long-term sporting activity after ACI-P and to correlate with clinical and MRI findings.

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

Return to Sports Activity and Work After Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation of the Knee: Which Factors Influence Outcomes?

Background: Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has been associated with satisfying results in everyday activities. Clinical results after ACI treatment of femorotibial lesions are superior in comparison with patellofemoral lesions. There is limited information regarding at which level recreational, amateur, and professional athletes can resume sports and physical activities as well as work after ACI and what parameters influence return to work and sports.

Long-term T2 and Qualitative MRI Morphology After First-Generation Knee Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation: Cartilage Ultrastructure Is Not Correlated to Clinical or Qualitative MRI Outcome.

Background: There are several reports on long-term clinical outcomes after autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) for knee cartilage defect treatment. Few published articles have evaluated defect quality using quantitative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques.

Purpose: To evaluate clinical outcomes and the quality of repair tissue (RT) after first-generation periosteum-covered ACI (ACI-P) using qualitative MR outcomes and T2-weighted relaxation times.

First-generation versus second-generation autologous chondrocyte implantation for treatment of cartilage defects of the knee: a matched-pair analysis on long-term clinical outcome.

Purpose: Since the introduction of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) for the treatment of cartilage defects, the initial technique has undergone several modifications. Whereas an autologous periosteum flap was used for defect coverage in first generation ACI, a standardized collagen membrane was utilized in second generation ACI. To date, however, no study has proven the superiority of this modification in terms of long-term clinical outcome.

Long-term outcomes after first-generation autologous chondrocyte implantation for cartilage defects of the knee.

Background: Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) represents an established surgical therapy for large cartilage defects of the knee joint. Although various studies report satisfying midterm results, little is known about long-term outcomes.

Purpose: To evaluate long-term clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes after ACI.

What Patients Expect About Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) for Treatment of Cartilage Defects at the Knee Joint.

Objective: Although autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has become an established surgical treatment for cartilage defects of the knee, little is known about what patients expect about this surgery.

Design: A total of 150 patients who underwent ACI for cartilage defects at the knee were assigned to the present study and asked about their expectations and estimation concerning the ACI procedure. Patients were asked to answer 4 questions of a web-based questionnaire concerning their expectations on clinical outcome and on factors they considered relevant for clinical outcome.