Short-term radiological results after spheroid-based autologous chondrocyte implantation in the knee are independent of defect localisation

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Lesions of articular cartilage represent a crucial risk factor for the early development of osteoarthritis. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is a well-established procedure in therapy of those lesions in the knee. The aim of the presented study is to detect differences in short-term radiological outcome depending on defect localization (femoral condyle vs. retropatellar) after spheroid-based ACI.

OBJECTIVE:

This study aimed to demonstrate that radiological outcome after spheroid-based ACI in the knee is independent of defect localization.

METHODS:

MRI-scans after retropatellar ACI and ACI of the medial/lateral femoral condyle, with a preoperative Outerbridge grade of III or IV were evaluated regarding MOCART 2.0.

RESULTS:

The mean defect-size was 5.0 $\pm$ 1.8 cm ${}^2$ , with a minimum size of 2 cm ${}^2$ and a maximum size of 9 cm ${}^2$ . Scans were performed 7.7 months ( $\pm$ 3.1 months) postoperatively. The mean MOCART 2.0 score was 78.5 $\pm$ 15.6. No statistically significant influence neither of the localization ( $p=$ 0.159), the gender ( $p=$ 0.124) nor defect size ( $<$ 5 cm ${}^2$ vs. $⩾$ 5 cm ${}^2$ ; $p=$ 0.201) could be observed.

CONCLUSIONS:

The presented data demonstrate good to excellent radiological short-term results after spheroid-based ACI. Data indicates, that at least radiological results are independent of gender, defect-size and defect-localization.