Good clinical results with autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (Amic) technique in large knee chondral defects.
OBJECTIVE
Autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) is a treatment for focal full-thickness cartilage defects combining microfracturing with an exogenous I/III collagen matrix (Chondro-Gide). The aim of the present study was to determine the 7 years outcomes of patients treated with the AMIC technique for knee chondral defects larger than 2 cm2. The hypothesis was that the positive short-term outcomes achieved in the previous series would not deteriorate at a 7-year follow-up.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients treated with the AMIC technique were retrospectively analysed. Patients were assessed through the IKDC subjective knee evaluation questionnaire and the Lysholm scoring system. All patients underwent a complete imaging study including radiographs and magnetic resonance. The median defect size was found to be 4.3 (range 2.9-8) cm2.


RESULTS
At a median follow-up of 7 (±1.4) years, the mean IKDC score improved from 31.7 (±8.9) points preoperatively, to 80.6 (±5.3) at the latest follow-up (p < 0.05). The mean Lysholm score improved from 38.8 (±12.4) points preoperatively to 72.6 (±19.5) points at the last follow-up (p < 0.05). At the last follow-up, 76.2% of patients were satisfied or extremely satisfied with their outcomes, while 66.6% of patients showed good quality repair tissue on magnetic resonance imaging.


CONCLUSIONS
AMIC was found to be an effective method to treat full-thickness knee chondral defects larger than 2 cm2, with significant clinical and functional improvement maintained over a 7-year follow-up.


METHODS
IV.
Multidisciplinary Department of Medico-Surgical and Dentistry Specialties, University "Campana Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy.
Alfredo
A
Schiavone Panni
Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Via Francesco De Sanctis, 86100, Campobasso, Italy.
Chiara
C
Del Regno
Multidisciplinary Department of Medico-Surgical and Dentistry Specialties, University "Campana Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy.
Giuseppe
G
Mazzitelli
Multidisciplinary Department of Medico-Surgical and Dentistry Specialties, University "Campana Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy.
Rocco
R
D'Apolito
Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Via Francesco De Sanctis, 86100, Campobasso, Italy. katia.corona@unimol.it.
Katia
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3456-8361
K
Corona
Multidisciplinary Department of Medico-Surgical and Dentistry Specialties, University "Campana Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy.
Michele
M
Vasso
D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D020219:Chondrogenesis; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024061:Collagen Type III / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D024042:Collagen Type I; D024061:Collagen Type III
AMIC; Chondro-Gide; Chondrogenesis; Knee chondral defects; Microfracturing