Matrix-induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation For The Knee Joint Cartilage Defect Repair A Clinical Follow Up

ObjectiveA prospective clinical investigation was carried out to assess the early efficacy of matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation(MACI)repairing knee joint cartilage defect.Methods23 patients(24 knees)were treated with MACI,including 17 males and 6 females with an average age of 26 years old.These patients were evaluated for up to a mean of 31 months(range 6-48 months)after surgery.International Knee Documentation Committee(IKDC)and Lysholm scores were applied to verify the outcomes.MRI with T2-mapping were analyzed at 3,6,12 and 24 months postoperatively.ResultsTwo patients were lost to follow-up and both knees were treated in 1 patient.Overall,we were able to get valid preoperative and postoperative results from 21(22 knees)of 23 patients.Mean IKDC score improved from 59.6 ± 14.3 to 74.2 ± 13.2 at 12 months;mean Lysholm scores improved from 66.9 ± 15.6 to 87.2±9.3 at 12 months.12 knees had MRI with T2 value.T2 value of transplanted area showed no significant differences compared to normal area 12 months and 24 months postoperatively.ConclusionsThe significantly improved results on both scores and the analysis of T2 value suggest that MACI represents a valuable treatment of local cartilage defects in the knee of younger patients.