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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy

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Open Access 27-08-2023 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | KNEE

Autologous minced cartilage repair for chondral and osteochondral lesions of the knee joint demonstrates good postoperative outcomes and low reoperation rates at minimum five-year follow-up

Authors: Armin Runer, Robert Ossendorff, Felix Öttl, Vincent A. Stadelmann, Stefan Schneider, Stefan Preiss, Gian M. Salzmann, Jakob Hax

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 11/2023

Abstract

Purpose

Minced cartilage is a one-step, autologous procedure with promising short-term results. The aim of the present study was to evaluate mid-term results in a patient cohort with chondral and osteochondral lesions in the knee joint treated with minced cartilage.

Methods

From 2015 through 2016, a total of 34 consecutive patients were treated with a single-step, autologous minced cartilage for knee chondral and osteochondral lesions. Numeric analogue scale (NAS) for pain and knee function were obtained prior to surgery and at 12, 24 and 60 months postoperatively. Secondary outcomes, including Lysholm score, Tegner activity score, and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, were recorded at final follow-up. MRI examinations of patients with unplanned radiological follow-up were analysed using the MOCART (Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue) score.

Results

A total of 28 patients (44.1% females, age at surgery: 29.5 ± 11.5 years) were available at a mean follow-up of 65.5 ± 4.1 months. Mean defect size was 3.5 ± 1.8 cm². NAS for pain decreased from a median of 7 (range: 2–10) preoperatively to 2 (0–8) postoperatively. NAS knee function improved from a median of 7 (range: 2–10) to 3 (0–7) after five years, respectively. Satisfactory Lysholm (76.5 ± 12.5), IKDC (71.6 ± 14.8) and Tegner activity (4, range 3–9) scores were reported at final follow-up. Of all patients, 21(75%) and 19 (67.9%) reached or exceeded the PASS for the IKDC- and Lysholm score at final follow-up, respectively. The average overall MOCART 2.0 scores for all postoperatively performed MRIs (n = 23) was 62.3 ± 17.4. Four (14.2%) postoperative complications were directly linked to minced cartilage, one (3.5%) of which required revision surgery.

Conclusion

One-step, autologous minced cartilage repair of chondral and osteochondral lesions of the knee without the necessity for subchondral bone treatment demonstrated good patient-reported outcomes, low complication rates, and graft longevity at mid-term follow-up. Minced cartilage represents a viable treatment option to more traditional cartilage repair techniques even in mid-term.

Level of evidence

Level III.

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Title: Autologous minced cartilage repair for chondral and osteochondral lesions of the knee joint demonstrates good postoperative outcomes and low reoperation rates at minimum five-year follow-up
Authors: Armin Runer
Robert Ossendorff
Felix Öttl
Vincent A. Stadelmann
Stefan Schneider
Stefan Preiss
Gian M. Salzmann
Jakob Hax
Publication date: 27-08-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 11/2023
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-023-07546-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Autologous minced cartilage repair for chondral and osteochondral lesions of the knee joint demonstrates good postoperative outcomes and low reoperation rates at minimum five-year follow-up

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Level of evidence

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Level of evidence

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