title: Follow-up of a new arthroscopic technique for implantation of matrix-encapsulated autologous chondrocytes in the knee.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and sequential imaging follow-up results at a mean of 36 months after an arthroscopic technique for implantation of matrix-encapsulated autologous chondrocytes for the treatment of articular cartilage lesions on the femoral condyles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients underwent arthroscopic implantation of autologous chondrocytes seeded onto a bioabsorbable scaffold. The patients were evaluated clinically using a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Lysholm, and Tegner scores. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2-mapping and magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) evaluations were also performed. Second-look arthroscopic evaluation using the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grading classification was performed at 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with their preoperative values, at 36 months mean values ± standard deviation for the VAS scale for pain were 6.0 ± 1.5 to 0.3 ± 0.4. Improvement in clinical scores between preoperative values and 36-month follow-up values in subjective IKDC scores was 46.9 ± 18.5 to 77.2 ± 12.8; in Lysholm scores, it was 51.8 ± 25.1 to 87.9 ± 6.5, and in the Tegner activity scale it was 2.9 ± 1.7 to 5.9 ± 1.9. Mean T2 mapping and MOCART scores improved over time to 38.1 ± 4.4 ms and 72.5 ± 10, respectively. Mean ICRS score by second-look arthroscopy at 1 year was 10.4 ± 0.1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All clinical scores improved over time compared with the preoperative values. Clinical results are comparable with MRI T2 mapping and ICRS evaluations, suggesting that this arthroscopic technique for cell-based cartilage repair is efficacious and reproducible at a mean of 36 months of follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, therapeutic case series.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Division and Tissue Engineering, Cell Therapy, and Regenerative Medicine Unit, National Institute of Rehabilitation, Mexico City, Mexico; National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, Mexico. Electronic address: clementeibarra@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Clemente
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ibarra
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Division, National Institute of Rehabilitation, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Izaguirre
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Division, National Institute of Rehabilitation, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Villalobos
authors.affiliation: Mexico School of Veterinary Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masri
authors.affiliation: Mexico School of Veterinary Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Germán
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lombardero
authors.affiliation: Tissue Engineering, Cell Therapy, and Regenerative Medicine Unit, National Institute of Rehabilitation, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Valentin
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Tissue Engineering, Cell Therapy, and Regenerative Medicine Unit, National Institute of Rehabilitation, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Velasquillo
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Division, National Institute of Rehabilitation, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Anell Olivos
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Meza
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Division, National Institute of Rehabilitation, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Guevara
authors.affiliation: Tissue Engineering, Cell Therapy, and Regenerative Medicine Unit, National Institute of Rehabilitation, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Luis G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Ibarra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002356:Cartilage / Q000601:surgery / Q000637:transplantation; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000601:surgery*; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D024162:Second-Look Surgery; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult