Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41047426›Full record

ReviewArthroplasty (London, England)2025

Cartilage reconstruction using Chondrofiller in intra-articular distal radius fractures.

Wolfram Demmer, Antonia Zörnpfenning, Kevin Brugetti, Sinan Mert, Elisabeth Haas-Lützenberger, Riccardo Giunta, Irene Mesas Aranda

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Arthroplasty (London, England), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Wolfram DemmerDepartment of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336, Munich, Germany. wolfram.demmer@med.uni-muenchen.de.
Antonia ZörnpfenningDepartment of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336, Munich, Germany.
Kevin BrugettiDepartment of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336, Munich, Germany.
Sinan MertDepartment of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336, Munich, Germany.
Elisabeth Haas-LützenbergerDepartment of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336, Munich, Germany.
Riccardo GiuntaDepartment of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336, Munich, Germany.
Irene Mesas ArandaDepartment of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336, Munich, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionIntra-articular distal radius fractures (DRF) frequently result in post-traumatic cartilage defects, which can lead to early osteoarthritis, particularly when residual step-offs or gaps ≥ 2 mm remain after fracture reduction. While cartilage repair techniques are well established in large joints, options for small joints like the wrist remain limited. Chondrofiller liquid, a cell-free collagen type I hydrogel, has demonstrated regenerative potential in larger joints; however, its application in the wrist has not yet been studied.

methodsIn this prospective clinical study, 59 patients with intra-articular DRFs treated by arthroscopy-assisted open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) were included. In 25 cases, residual chondral defects between 0.5 and ≤ 2 mm were filled with Chondrofiller. Technical feasibility, defect characteristics, and application parameters were recorded. A subgroup of 8 Chondrofiller-treated patients underwent follow-up arthroscopy and was compared to a matched control group (n = 7) that had received ORIF without Chondrofiller. Cartilage quality was assessed using Outerbridge and the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) classifications.

resultsChondrofiller was applied arthroscopically under dry conditions using G20-21 cannulas. Only 0.2-0.3 mL of the 1 mL preparation was required in most cases. At follow-up arthroscopy, patients treated with Chondrofiller showed significantly better cartilage quality (median Outerbridge 1.5 vs. 3, P = 0.006; ICRS 1 vs. 3, P = 0.002). Fibrous tissue formation (FTF) occurred only in overfilled defects, while flush applications were free of FTF. No significant differences were found in consolidation, complications, or associated injuries between groups.

conclusionChondrofiller is technically feasible and safe for use in the wrist. When applied precisely and flush with the cartilage surface, it may improve cartilage quality after intra-articular DRF. Further long-term clinical and radiological studies are needed to assess its effectiveness in preventing post-traumatic osteoarthritis and to evaluate cost-effectiveness compared to standard treatment.

Indexed as

Cartilage reconstructionChondrofillerIntra-articular distal radius fracturePost-traumatic osteoarthritisWrist arthroscopy

Identifiers

PMID41047426
PMCPMC12498443

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.