Satisfactory long-term MRI after autdlogoiis chondrocyter Implantation at the knee

摘要

Purpose Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) to address isolated condylar lesions is supposed to limit degenerative deterioration in neutrally aligned knees. Here, we report long-term results of the first-generation ACI technique with periosteal flap.Methods Twelve patients, 29 years old on average, were included on the basis of pre-operative MRI selection of lesions >2 cm2. Cartilage carrots were harvested arthro-scopically, then cultured and finally re-implanted within a mean time interval of 12 weeks. Ten-year MRI results were analysed according to a semi-quantitative scale, along with functional assessment based on International Knee Documentation Committee score, Lysholm et al. score and the Tegner et al. activity scale.