Knee chondral lesions treated with autologous chondrocyte transplantation in a tridimensional matrix: clinical evaluation at 1-year follow-up.
BACKGROUND
Despite the many studies on chondral injury repair, no outcomes have been evaluated with the Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC) Universities osteoarthritis index, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and the Oxford Knee Score, all of which are specific for evaluating the presence of osteoarthritis.


METHODS
We evaluated the clinical progress of patients following autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) performed by our Bone and Tissue Bank using a technique in which cells, instead of being introduced to the articular defect in a liquid form, are implanted into a tridimensional matrix of semisolid collagen (Condrograft((R))). A total of 22 patients underwent the procedure, 15 of whom were available for a 1-year follow-up that included clinical evaluation by WOMAC score before and after surgery and KOOS and the Oxford Knee Score after surgery.


RESULTS
The results were improved WOMAC score from 56.4 before surgery to 16.2 after surgery (P < 0.002), average KOOS score of 83.6, and average Oxford Knee Score of 18.8.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that our tridimensional matrix technique effectively improved patients' quality of life, at least in the short term, and delayed any subsequent procedure. Long-term assessment is necessary to determine the true value of this technique.
Vilchez
Félix
F
4to Piso Depto Ortopedia y Traumatología, Hospital Universitario Dr. José E. González Ave. Madero y Gonzalitos, Monterrey, NL, Mexico.
Lara
Jorge
J
Alvarez-Lozano
Eduardo
E
Cuervo
Carlos E
CE
Mendoza
Oscar F
OF
Acosta-Olivo
Carlos A
CA
D000328:Adult; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D003094:Collagen; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D010329:Patella / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003094:Collagen