Matrix-associated chondroplasty: a novel platelet-rich plasma and concentrated nucleated bone marrow cell-enhanced cartilage restoration technique.

Bone marrow stimulation techniques such as microfracture for the treatment of articular cartilage defects so far solely reproduce mechanically inferior fibrous cartilage tissue, which might result in unsatisfactory clinical results at midterm. The combination of microfracture and biomaterials-for example, autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis technology-has not yet proved that the disadvantages of the marrow stimulation techniques can be overcome. At present, only laboratory-cultivated autologous chondrocytes are able to restore a biomechanically superior cartilage layer and might lead to superior functional results.