Short-term radiological results after spheroid-based autologous chondrocyte implantation in the knee are independent of defect localisation

BACKGROUND: Lesions of articular cartilage represent a crucial risk factor for the early development of osteoarthritis. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is a well-established procedure in therapy of those lesions in the knee. The aim of the presented study is to detect differences in short-term radiological outcome depending on defect localization (femoral condyle vs. retropatellar) after spheroid-based ACI. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to demonstrate that radiological outcome after spheroid-based ACI in the knee is independent of defect localization. METHODS: MRI-scans after retropatellar ACI and ACI of the medial/lateral femoral condyle, with a preoperative Outerbridge grade of III or IV were evaluated regarding MOCART 2.0. RESULTS: The mean defect-size was 5.0 +/- 1.8 cm(2), with a minimum size of 2 cm(2) and a maximum size of 9 cm(2). Scans were performed 7.7 months (+/- 3.1 months) postoperatively. The mean MOCART 2.0 score was 78.5 +/- 15.6. No statistically significant influence neither of the localization (p = 0.159), the gender (p = 0.124) nor defect size (< 5 cm(2) vs. > 5 cm(2); p = 0.201) could be observed. CONCLUSIONS: The presented data demonstrate good to excellent radiological short-term results after spheroid-based ACI. Data indicates, that at least radiological results are independent of gender, defect-size and defect-localization.

Automated summary

The study found that short-term radiological outcomes after spheroid-based ACI in the knee are not affected by defect localization, showing good results regardless of the area of the defect.