Short- to Midterm Clinical and Radiological Outcomes After Matrix-Associated Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation for Chondral Defects in Knees.

backgroundMatrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) has been proven to provide favorable short-term results for chondral defects in knees. However, it remains unclear whether the clinical benefits of MACI persist in the longer term. PURPOSE: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes, at short- and midterm follow-up, for patients undergoing MACI for focal chondral defects of the knee. STUDY

designCase series; Level of evidence, 4.

methodsA total of 30 consecutive patients (31 knees) were treated using MACI between October 2010 and March 2018. There were 24 male patients and 6 female patients with an average age of 26 years (range, 12-48 years). The areas of the cartilage defect were consistently >2 cm

resultsNo patients were lost to follow-up. Mean IKDC scores improved from 58.6 (range, 40.2-80.5) to 79.1 (range, 39.1-94.3) at 12 months and up to 88.4 (range, 83.9-100) at 5 years; mean Lysholm scores improved from 67.3 (range, 46-95) to 90.6 (range, 71-100) at 12 months and up to 95.9 (range, 85-100) at 5 years. The MRI with T2 mapping value of the transplanted area was evaluated for 21 knees, which revealed no differences compared with the normal area at 12 months postoperatively.

conclusionFrom the first year onward, the clinical outcome scores and MRI with T2 mapping values showed continuous and marked improvement, suggesting that MACI is a valid option for localized cartilage defects in the knee.