Joint debridement and microfracture for treatment late-stage Freiberg-Kohler's disease: Long-term follow-up study

BACKGROUND

Freiberg-Kohler's disease is not a common disease and although various reports have been described since 1914, treatment methods are not completely established. The purpose of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes following joint debridement and microfracture procedures for the treatment of Freiberg-Kohler's disease.

METHODS

Fifteen consecutive patients (16 feet) with Freiberg-Kohler's disease (Smillie's classification grade III-V) were operated between May 1996 to December 2011. All patients followed the same post-operative protocol. The objective and subjective evaluations were taken at the initial examination and at final follow-up.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up was 11 years ±5.5 (range 4.2-19.7 years). The AOFAS score, VAS score and ROM of the MTP joint improved significantly after surgery (p value <0.05). The AOFAS score improved from a preoperative value of 46.7±15.5 points to 83.2±9.4 points postoperative (p<0.05). The mean preoperative joint ROM was 28°±8° and 49°±13° postoperative (p<0.05). VAS score improved from a preoperative value of 5.5±1.2 points to 1.2±1 points at last follow-up (p<0.05). At the end of follow-up 13 patients (81%) declared they were very satisfied, 3 patients (19%) satisfied and nobody unsatisfied.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that joint debridement and microfracture procedure is an effective surgical treatment for late-stage Freiberg-Kohler's disease with decrease of daily pain, improved ROM, and high patient satisfaction.

Transplantation of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells under arthroscopic surgery with microfracture versus microfracture alone for articular cartilage lesions in the knee: A multicenter prospective randomized control clinical trial

Introduction

To investigate the efficacy of the transplantation of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) under arthroscopy with microfracture (MFX) compared with microfracture alone.

Methods

Eleven patients with a symptomatic articular cartilage defect of the knee were included in the study. They were randomized to receive BMSCs with MFX (cell-T group, n=7) or MFX alone (control group, n=4). Clinical results were evaluated using International Knee Documentation committee (IKDC) knee evaluation questionnaires and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) before and 48 weeks after surgery. Quantitative and qualitative assessments of repair tissue were carried out at 48 weeks by T2 mapping of magnetic resonance images (MRIs) and the magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) scoring system with follow-up MRI.

Results

No significant differences between preoperative and postoperative IKDC and KOOS were observed in the cell-T or control group. However, forty-eight weeks after surgery, the cell-T group showed a trend for a greater KOOS QOL score compared with the control group (79.4 vs. 39.1, respectively; P=0.07). The T2 value did not differ significantly between the two groups, but the mean MOCART score was significantly higher in the cell-T group than in the control group (P=0.02).

Conclusions

Compared with MFX alone, BMSC transplantation with MFX resulted in better postoperative healing of the cartilage and subchondral bone as determined by the MOCART score. Clinically, BMSC transplantation with MFX gave a higher KOOS QOL score after 48 weeks.

•

This is the first prospective randomized clinical trial between BMSCs with MFX and MFX alone.

•

BMSCs with MFX showed a trend for a greater KOOS QOL score compared with MFX alone.

•

BMSCs with MFX resulted in better healing of the cartilage by the MOCART score.

Is implantation of autologous chondrocytes superior to microfracture for articular-cartilage defects of the knee? A systematic review of 5-year follow-up data

BACKGROUND

Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) and microfracture are two of the main surgical treatment options for articular cartilage lesions of the knee. Consensus regarding the best clinical options to repair knee cartilage lesions is lacking. We undertook a systematic review to clarify the clinical efficacy of ACI and microfracture at minimum mean 5-year follow-up.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted using the MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library databases up to August 2018. Only comparative clinical studies of ACI and microfracture for the treatment of articular cartilage lesions of the knee with level I/Ⅱ evidence were included. Clinical outcomes and the prevalence of treatment failure from each study were extracted and compared. The methodological quality of the included studies was analyzed by means of the PEDro scale.

RESULTS

Five comparative studies (three randomized controlled trials and two prospective cohort studies) met our eligibility criteria. ACI and microfracture elicited significant improvement in clinical outcomes after 5 years. However, better clinical results with significant differences were found with modified versions of ACI (ACI with a modified collagen membrane [ACI-C] or matrix-applied chondrocyte implantation [MACI]) than with microfracture as determined by the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, activities of daily living assessment, Tegner Activity Scale score, and the International Knee Documentation Committee objective and subjective scores. No significant difference was observed in the treatment failure rate between these two methods within a particular study.

CONCLUSIONS

Currently, the best-available evidence suggests that some clinical outcomes of articular cartilage lesions of the knee treated with modified versions of ACI (ACI-C or MACI) can significantly improve patient outcomes at the mid-term follow-up of 5 years compared with those obtained using microfracture.

Comparison of the regeneration of cartilage and the clinical outcomes after the open wedge high tibial osteotomy with or without microfracture: a retrospective case control study

Background

It is unclear whether postoperative outcomes are associated with the cartilage regeneration after open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) combined with microfracture. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the regeneration of the articular cartilage, radiologic, and clinical outcomes after OWHTO with and without microfracture.

Methods

Eighty-seven patients who underwent OWHTO from 2014 to 2015 were retrospectively included in this study. Fifty-seven OWHTOs with microfracture on medial femoral condyle (MFC) (group 1) and 30 OWHTOs without microfracture (group 2) were compared at a mean 2-year follow-up. The regeneration of the articular cartilage was evaluated using International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade on the second-look arthroscopy and the magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The weight-bearing line (WBL) ratio, hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle, joint line convergence angle (JLCA) and Ahlbäck grade were evaluated. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster University (WOMAC) scores and the Knee Society (KS).

Results

The articular cartilage in the MFC were regenerated in 67.8% of group 1 (43/57) and 58.6% of group 2 (16/30), respectively (p = 0.014). However, change of the ICRS grades of the medial tibial plateau, lateral and patellofemoral compartments showed no statistical difference between the groups. Total MOCART score in group 1 was superior to that in the group 2 at postoperative 2 years (41.8 ± 18.6 vs. 31.8 ± 19.8, p = 0.023). Regarding MOCART score, microfracture was only effective in the defect filling and integration to the border zone of the MFC (p < 0.001 and p = 0.035, respectively). Other radiologic and clinical outcomes showed no statistical differences between the groups.

Conclusion

Microfracture of the MFC during OWHTO only helped the filling of the degenerative cartilage defect and the integration of the cartilage with adjacent cartilage. However, the clinical and radiologic outcome could not be improved by mircrofracture in the OWHTO.

Effects of tranexamic acid on the recovery of osteochondral defects treated by microfracture and acellular matrix scaffold: an experimental study

Background

Microfracture and scaffold application in the treatment of osteochondral defects is still one of the most frequently used methods in the clinic. The most important step in this treatment method is the stabilization of fibrin clot. Tranexamic acid (TA) is an antifibrinolytic agent commonly used in orthopedic surgery in recent years. This study evaluated the effect of local TA application on healing of experimentally induced osteochondral defects on rabbits.

Methods

This paper contains an animal in vivo data and histological outcomes on the effect of TA. Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits were treated unilaterally and cylindrical defects having a width of 4 mm and depth of 5 mm were created in the weight-bearing surfaces of the medial and lateral condyles of the right femur. They were divided into two groups, as group 1 study and group 2 control groups, respectively. One milliliter (ml) of TA was injected into the knee joints of the subjects in group 1. All animals were sacrificed for the extraction of the femur condyles for histologic study at the fourth and eighth weeks after surgery. Histological evaluations were performed by Brittberg and O’Driscoll scores to all samples. Data were organized in a Standard Statistical Package System v.22 software package (SPSS/PC Inc., Chicago, IL.) and reported as mean and median (min-max). Repeated measures ANOVA test was used to compare groups and condyle effects together for each week. p values below 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.

Results

Samples were taken in the fourth and eighth weeks. The regularity of the surface in group 1 was smoother, and the tissue stability was more robust. Mean Brittberg scores in both weeks were statistically higher in group 1 when compared with group 2. In the microscopic evaluation, it was observed that the regeneration of subchondral and cartilage tissues were more rapid and organized in group 1, and the mean O’ Driscoll scores in both weeks were statistically higher in group 1.

Conclusions

Application of TA improves the healing time and tissue stability in osteochondral defects which are implanted a-cellular scaffold after microfracture and should be applicable to humans for the treatment of osteochondral defects.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13018-019-1144-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Low pH irrigation fluids have positive effect on intra-articular chondral healing

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Ringer's lactate (RL) solutions with different pH values on early histologic healing in a microfracture model in vivo. The null hypothesis of the presented study is that irrigation fluids with lower pH (6.4) have negative effects on fibrous cartilage healing.

METHODS

Eighteen Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups. Anterior midline incision was performed. Microfracture procedure was performed with a 1.2 mm k-wire at the lateral femoral condyle of each knee. the skin was sutured and joints were irrigated for 30 min with low pH (6.4) RL in Group 1, high pH (7.6) RL in Group 2 and no irrigation in Group 3. Three rats from each group were randomly selected and killed on the 3rd and 7th day. On the 3rd day, the healed chondral area was examined. On the 3rd and 7th day, the chondral depth and morphology were evaluated. On the 7th day, bone cellularity was assessed with osteoblast; osteoclast number and bone quality were evaluated with trabecular area and the number of trabeculae.

RESULTS

Chondral healing area on the 3rd day was significantly higher in Group 1 compared to other groups. Chondral morphology was also qualitatively superior in Group 1 compared to other groups on the 3rd and 7th day. There were no differences in chondral depths between the groups on the 3rd day; however, increased chondral depths were observed in Group 1 on the 7th day. There were statistically significant increases in trabecular area and the number of trabeculae, as well as the number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in Group 1 on the 7th day.

CONCLUSIONS

The presented study revealed that low pH irrigation fluids have positive effects on the healing characteristics of intra-articular fibrous cartilage after microfracture procedure in vivo. In light of this study, we can assume that lower pH solutions could be safely used during microfracture procedures and it can also facilitate intra-articular fibrous cartilage formation and cartilage healing. Selection of irrigation solution is also important for intra-articular fibrous cartilage healing after microfracture procedure in vivo.

Arthroscopic and open treatment of cartilage lesions with BST-CARGEL scaffold and microfracture: A cohort study of consecutive patients

BACKGROUND

CARGEL (Smith & Nephew Inc.), a chitosan-based polymer scaffolding biomaterial, has been used since 2012 for treating articular cartilage lesions. Limited data are available on patient outcomes following CARGEL treatment. This study aimed to describe short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes in a cohort of patients treated with CARGEL and microfracture surgery for articular cartilage defects in the knee.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted of consecutive patients with articular cartilage defects who had undergone microfracture surgery with CARGEL, or in patellar lesions microfracture and CARGEL plus Chondro-Gide (at SportsClinic Zurich). Study outcomes included reoperations, infections, allergic reactions, pain, swelling, range of motion, and tissue quality and quantity. Ethics approval was obtained from the local ethics committee on 05/09/2017 (Basec. Nr: 2017-01441).

RESULTS

A total of 91 participants, with 93 treated lesions, consenting to chart review were included. No participants required reoperation due to complications on the index lesion. Fifteen participants had second-look surgery on the index knee for other reasons, allowing for visual confirmation of cartilage repair. No study participants experienced a post-surgical infection or suffered an allergic reaction. No significant changes in range of motion or T2 values were observed from pre-treatment to post-treatment follow-up. However, significant decreases were found in pain (P < 0.001) and swelling (P < 0.001), along with significant increases in MOCART II scores (P < 0.001). Similar results were found in a subgroup of patients with patellar lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients treated with CARGEL experienced few postoperative complications and reported promising reductions in pain and swelling after treatment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

[Current overview of cartilage regeneration procedures]

BACKGROUND

Cartilage is an avascular, alymphatic and non-innervated tissue with limited intrinsic repair potential. The high prevalence of cartilage defects and their tremendous clinical importance are a challenge for all treating physicians.

AIM

This article provides the reader with an overview about current cartilage treatment options and their clinical outcome.

METHODS

Microfracture is still considered the gold standard in the treatment of small cartilage lesions. Small osteochondral defects can be effectively treated with the autologous osteochondral transplantation system. Larger cartilage defects are successfully treated by autologous membrane-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) or by membrane-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI).

CONCLUSION

Despite limitations of current cartilage repair strategies, such procedures can result in short- and mid-term clinical improvement of the patients. Further developments and clinical studies are necessary to improve the long-term outcome following cartilage repair.

[Cartilage repair of the knee joint]

BACKGROUND

Cartilage defects around the knee joint frequently occur in the region of the medial femoral condyle and the retropatellar cartilage surface. The distinction between local cartilage defects and large area degenerative cartilage lesions is very important for both prognosis and surgical therapy. The size and position of the lesion, the underlying pathomechanism and the age of the patient are very important factors which should be considered in the therapy algorithm for optimal cartilage defect restoration. Important cofactors such as stability, long leg axis and muscle balance should be taken into account.

AIM

Current procedures for cartilage repair of the knee joint and their results are summarized in this article. In addition, the necessity of precise and comprehensive preoperative clinical and radiological diagnostics is displayed to be able to treat co-pathologies in order to enable a successful repair of the cartilage defect.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative planning of cartilage-repair techniques usually includes x‑ray images and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. If MRI is not available, an arthro-computed tomography could be an alternative. Modern and routinely used procedures for cartilage repair at the knee joint are microfracture, autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis, autologous chondrocyte transplantation, matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation and osteochondral transplantation. Successful surgical cartilage-repair surgeries require a correct and individualized indication, addressing of copathologies and a standardized rehabilitation that is adapted to the surgical procedure. Evidence-based criteria for an exact time point for the return to sports according to individually operative cartilage repair techniques currently do not exist.

Optimization of Degradation Profile for New Scaffold in Cartilage Repair

Objective To establish whether a novel biomaterial scaffold with tunable degradation profile will aid in cartilage repair of chondral defects versus microfracture alone in vitro and in a rat model in vivo. Design In vitro-Short- and long-term degradation scaffolds were seeded with culture expanded articular chondrocytes or bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Cell growth and differentiation were evaluated with cell morphological studies and gene expression studies. In vivo-A microfracture rat model was used in this study to evaluate the repair of cartilage and subchondral bone with the contralateral knee serving as the empty control. The treatment groups include (1) empty osteochondral defect, (2) polycaprolactone copolymer-based polyester polyurethane-urea (PSPU-U) caffold short-term degradative profile, and (3) PSPU-U scaffold long-term degradative profile. After placement of the scaffold, the rats were then allowed unrestricted activity as tolerated, and histological analyses were performed at 4, 8, and 16 weeks. The cartilage defect was measured and compared with the contralateral control side. Results In vitro-Long-term scaffolds showed statistically significant higher levels of aggrecan and type II collagen expression compared with short-term scaffolds. In vivo-Within 16 weeks postimplantation, there was new subchondral bone formation in both scaffolds. Short-term scaffolds had a statistically significant increase in defect filling and better qualitative histologic fill compared to control. Conclusions The PSPU short-term degradation scaffold may aid in cartilage repair by ultimately incorporating the scaffold into the microfracture procedure.

Concurrent arthroscopic osteochondral lesion treatment and lateral ankle ligament repair has no substantial effect on the outcome of chronic lateral ankle instability

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of concurrent arthroscopic osteochondral lesion (OCL) treatment and lateral ankle ligament repair on the outcome of chronic lateral ankle instability. It was hypothesized that the arthroscopic OCL treatment might have some negative effect on the outcome of chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) by compromising the rehabilitation program.

METHODS

Ankle arthroscopy and anatomic lateral ankle ligament repair with suture anchors were performed for 70 patients with CLAI between 2010 and 2012. Thirty-four patients (group A), 20 males and 14 females with a median age of 30(14-54) years, received arthroscopic abrasion, curettage, drilling, or microfracture for OCLs. The splint was removed daily for joint motion exercises beginning at post-operative 2 weeks and full weight bearing was allowed between post-operative week 8 and 12. The other 36 patients (group B) with no combined OCL were followed up as controls. Pre-operative and post-operative visual analog scale (VAS) scores, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, Tegner scores, sprain recurrence, ankle stability, and range of motion (ROM) were evaluated and compared.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 46.5 (38-55) months and 44.5 (38-56) months for group A and group B, respectively. The median post-operative VAS score, AOFAS score, and Tegner score were improved from the pre-operative level for both groups with good-to-excellent results for more than 90% patients. No significant difference was found between the two groups for the subjective scores and satisfaction rate (n.s.). Recurrent sprain was found among nine patients(26.5%) of the group A and five patients (13.9%) of the group B (n.s.). The incidence of the ROM restriction of group A was significantly higher than in group B (23.5 vs 5.6%, P = 0.043).

CONCLUSIONS

The concurrent arthroscopic treatment of OCL with lateral ankle ligament repair demonstrated no substantial negative effect on the overall mid-term outcome of the patients with CLAI except for a potential risk of ROM restriction.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Microfracture provides better clinical results than debridement in the treatment of acute talar osteochondral lesions using arthroscopic assisted fixation of acute ankle fractures

PURPOSE

Ankle arthroscopy is a useful tool for detection and treatment of accompanying intraarticular pathologies in acute ankle fractures. The purpose of this study was to compare the treatment results of talus osteochondral lesions (OLT) with debridement and microfracture in arthroscopy assisted surgery of acute ankle fractures.

METHODS

Eleven consecutive patients who were treated with arthroscopic acute debridement and 14 consecutive patients who were treated with arthroscopic acute microfracture in the treatment of ankle fracture were included in the study. All patients were controlled clinically and radiologically in the postoperative period. Ankle pain was evaluated with the visual analog score (VAS), ankle functions were assessed with American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS), and osteoarthritic changes were analyzed with Van Dijk score.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age, gender, injury side and trauma mechanism (n.s). Mean time to surgery, fracture healing duration, first weight-bearing and full weight-bearing, follow-up period and Van Dijk score were all similar in both groups (n.s). The AOFAS score and VAS activity score were statistically significantly better in the microfracture group (p = 0.044 and p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical relevance of the present study is to define the acute treatment of the first osteochondral damage that occurred simultaneously with ankle fracture, to improve postoperative functional outcomes and to prevent post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Both debridement and microfracture yield good functional outcomes in the second year of the treatment. Microfracture ensures significantly more successful clinical results than debridement.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

3D printed biofunctionalized scaffolds for microfracture repair of cartilage defects

While articular cartilage defects affect millions of people worldwide from adolescents to adults, the repair of articular cartilage defects still remains challenging due to the limited endogenous regeneration of the tissue and poor integration with implants. In this study, we developed a 3D-printed scaffold functionalized with aggrecan that supports the cellular fraction of bone marrow released from microfracture, a widely used clinical procedure, and demonstrated tremendous improvement of regenerated cartilage tissue quality and joint function in a lapine model. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed doubled thickness of the regenerated cartilage tissue in the group treated with our aggrecan functionalized scaffold compared to standard microfracture treatment. H&E staining showed 366 ± 95 chondrocytes present in the unit area of cartilage layer with the support of bioactive scaffold, while conventional microfracture group showed only 112 ± 26 chondrocytes. The expression of type II collagen appeared almost 10 times higher with our approach compared to normal microfracture, indicating the potential to overcome the fibro-cartilage formation associated with the current microfracture approach. The therapeutic effect was also evaluated at joint function level. The mobility was evaluated using a modified Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scale. While the defect control group showed no movement improvement over the course of study, all experimental groups showed a trend of increasing scores over time. The present work developed an effective method to regenerate critical articular defects by combining a 3D-printed therapeutic scaffold with the microfracture surgical procedure. This biofunctionalized acellular scaffold has great potential to be applied as a supplement for traditional microfracture to improve the quality of cartilage regeneration in a cost and labor effective way.

Treatment of large deep osteochondritis lesions of the knee by autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC): Preliminary results in 13 patients

BACKGROUND

Osteochondral defects due to advanced osteochondritis of the knee eventually cause osteoarthritis. Autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) may hold potential for overcoming the treatment challenges raised by defects larger than 2cm². The primary objective of this study was to assess medium-term functional outcomes of AMIC. The secondary objective was to confirm the absence of adverse events.

HYPOTHESIS

AMIC significantly improves knee function in patients with osteochondritis responsible for osteochondral defects grade III or IV in the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) classification.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 13 consecutive patients managed using AMIC between September 2011 and November 2016 were included in a prospective, single-centre, single-surgeon study. There were 8 males and 5 females with a mean age of 29 years (range, 15-51 years). Among them, 9 had had previous surgery. The ICRS grade was IV in 12 patients and III in 1 patient. The defects had a mean surface area of 3.7cm² (range, 2.2-6.9cm²) and mean depth of 0.5mm (range, 0.4-0.8). In each patient, knee function was assessed by an independent examiner based on validated instruments (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS], subjective International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC] score, and visual analogue scale [VAS] pain score).

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 24 months (range, 12-42 months; minimum, 1 year), 11 patients had significant improvements, with mean increases in the IKDC score and KOOS of 27 and 28 points, respectively. The scores remained stable after the first year. Of the 2 patients with poorer outcomes, 1 had a history of multiple surgical procedures and the other was a 51-year-old female with a defect surface area of 6.9cm². No post-operative complications were recorded.

CONCLUSION

AMIC is a reliable single-stage method that is both reproducible and widely available. AMIC significantly improves knee function scores in patients with large osteochondral defects due to advanced osteochondritis of the knee.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, prospective cohort study.

Treatment of talus osteochondral defects in chronic lateral unstable ankles: small-sized lateral chondral lesions had good clinical outcomes

PURPOSE

To assess and compare the clinical and MRI outcomes of patients with talus osteochondral defect (OCD) and patients without OCD in a cohort with chronic lateral ankle instability.

METHODS

All patients who underwent open or arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament repair of the lateral ligament complex by a single surgeon were included in this study. Ankle arthroscopic surgery was initially performed to manage any intra-articular OCD, including debridement and microfracture. Functional scores (AOFAS, Karlsson score) and Tegner activity level scores were determined. An MRI scan was performed at follow-up to assess talus OCD after treatment. Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated between functional scores and various factors.

RESULTS

A total of 104 patients with chronic ankle instability were included in this study. Among them, 33 patients had cartilage injury on the talus (OCD group), and the other 71 patients had no cartilage injury (control group). After surgery, there was a significant increase in the AOFAS scores (p < 0.001), the Karlsson scores (p < 0.001), and the Tegner activity scores (p < 0.001) in both the OCD group and the control group. However, there was no significant difference in the AOFAS scores (90.7 ± 6.6 vs. 92.5 ± 8.5; n.s.), the Karlsson scores (89.7 ± 9.3 vs. 91.2 ± 9.1; n.s.), or the Tegner activity scores (5 vs. 6; n.s.) between the OCD group and the control group postoperatively. In the OCD group, there was a significant negative association between the functional scores (AOFAS, Karlsson score, or Tegner score) and the number of intra-articular lesions. For the lateral OCD, the mean lesion area significantly decreased from 49.0 ± 10.7 mm² preoperatively to 18.3 ± 13.1 mm² at the final follow-up (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

No significant difference in functional outcomes was found between the OCD group and the control group postoperatively. Arthroscopic microfracture is a good option for the long-term treatment of lateral talus OCD.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells combined with an acellular cartilage extracellular matrix scaffold improve cartilage repair compared with microfracture in a caprine model

OBJECTIVE

As a novel and promising seed cell, human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (hWJMSCs) are widely applied in tissue engineering. However, whether hWJMSCs can better repair and regenerate the articular cartilage in big animals than microfracture (MF, a predominant clinical treatment strategy for damaged cartilage) is unclear. Evaluation of the validity, and safety of hWJMSCs in a caprine model with a full-thickness femoral condyle articular cartilage defect, compared with MF is required.

METHODS

After cultivation and identification, hWJMSCs were seeded in an acellular cartilage extracellular matrix (ACECM)-oriented scaffold to construct cell-scaffold complex. Six goats with full-thickness femoral condyle articular cartilage defects were randomized to MF (microfracture group, MFG) and cell-scaffold complexes (experimental group, EG). At 2 and 4 weeks, joint fluid was used to assess immuno-inflammatory responses. At 6 and 9 months, all goats were euthanized for assessment of morphology, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), histology staining, and evaluation of the elasticity modulus and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) contents of the repaired regions.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the two groups in immuno-inflammatory parameters. MRI demonstrated higher-quality cartilage and complete subchondral bone at defect sites in the EG at 9 months. Histological staining showed that extracellular cartilage, cartilage lacuna and collagen type II levels were higher in the EG compared to the MFG, while the EG exhibited a higher elasticity modulus.

CONCLUSIONS

The hWJMSCs-ACECM scaffold complex achieved better quality repair and regeneration of hyaline cartilage without cartilage-inducing factor, while retaining the structure and functional integrity of the subchondral bone, compared with MF.

Clinical and radiographical ten years long-term outcome of microfracture vs. autologous chondrocyte implantation: a matched-pair analysis

PURPOSE

To compare the clinical and radiographical long-term outcome of microfracture (MFX) and first-generation periosteum-covered autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI-P).

METHODS

All subjects (n = 86) who had been treated with knee joint ACI-P or microfracture (n = 76) with a post-operative follow-up of at least ten years were selected. Clinical pre- and post-operative outcomes were analyzed by numeric analog scale (NAS) for pain, Lysholm, Tegner, IKDC, and KOOS score. Radiographical evaluation was visualized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Assessment of the regenerate quality was performed by the magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) and modified knee osteoarthritis scoring system (mKOSS). Relaxation time (RT) of T2 maps enabled a microstructural cartilage analysis.

RESULTS

MFX and ACI of 44 patients (24 females, 20 males; mean age 38.9 ± 12.1 years) resulted in a good long-term outcome with low pain scores and significant improved clinical scores. The final Lysholm and functional NAS scores were significantly higher in the MFX group (Lysholm: MFX 82 ± 15 vs. ACI-P 71 ± 18 p = 0.027; NAS function: MFX 8.1 ± 3.5 vs. ACI-P 6.0 ± 2.5; p = 0.003). The MOCART score did not show any qualitative differences. KOSS analysis demonstrated that cartilage repair of small defects resulted in a significant better outcome. T2-relaxation times were without difference between groups at the region of the regenerate tissue.

CONCLUSION

This study did not demonstrate coherent statistical differences between both cartilage repair procedures. MFX might be superior in the treatment of small cartilage defects.

Orthopedic Surgical Options for Joint Cartilage Repair and Restoration

The limited natural capacity for articular cartilage to regenerate has led to a continuously broadening array of surgical interventions. Used once patients' symptoms are not relieved by nonoperative management, these share the goals of joint preservation and restoration. Techniques include bone marrow stimulation, whole-tissue transplantation, and cell-based strategies, each with its own variations. Many of these interventions are performed arthroscopically or with extended-portal techniques. Indications, operative techniques, unique benefits, and limitations are presented.

Microfracture is more cost-effective than autologous chondrocyte implantation: a review of level 1 and level 2 studies with 5 year follow-up

PURPOSE

Focal cartilage defects in the knee may have devastating effect on the knee joint, where two of the main surgical treatment options are microfracture and autologous chondrocyte implantation. Comparative studies have failed to establish which method yields the best clinical results. A cost-effectiveness analysis of microfracture and autologous chondrocyte implantation would contribute to the clinical decision process.

METHODS

A PubMed search identifying level I and level II studies with 5 year follow-up was performed. With the data from these studies, decision trees with associated service provision and costs connected to the two different techniques were designed. In addition to hospital costs, we included costs connected to physiotherapy following surgery. To paint a broader cost picture, we also included indirect costs to the society due to productivity loss caused by work absence.

RESULTS

Four high-quality studies, with a follow-up of 5 years, met the inclusion criteria. A total of 319 patients were included, 170 undergoing microfracture and 149 autologous chondrocyte implantation. The re-operation rate was 23 (13.5%) following microfracture, and 18 (12.1%) for autologous chondrocyte implantation. Both groups achieved substantially better clinical scores at 5 years compared to baseline. Microfracture was more cost-effective when comparing all clinical scores.

CONCLUSION

Microfracture is associated with both lower costs and lower cost per point increase in patient reported outcome measures. There is a need of well-designed, high-quality randomized controlled trials before reliable conclusions regarding cost-effectiveness in the long run is possible.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Arthroscopic hip surgery with a microfracture procedure of acetabular full-thickness chondral damage. Cohort study with a 3-year follow-up

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE

Management of injuries to the articular cartilage is complex and challenging. Our purpose was to assess outcomes of a cohort of patients who underwent hip arthroscopy with full-thickness chondral damage treated with microfracture and compare these outcomes with those from a similar cohort of patients who did not.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We prospectively gathered the data of 31 hips treated with microfracture from January 2009 to January 2016. In the cohort of hips without chondral damage there were 49 hips. All patients were assessed pre- and postoperatively with 4 patient-reported outcome instruments.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up was 36.2 months in the cohort of patients with full-thickness chondral damage, and 36.6 months in the cohort of patients without chondral damage. Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in all patient-reported outcome instruments between preoperative and final follow-up. There was no statistically significant difference between both cohorts at final follow-up.

DISCUSSION

This study showed that patients undergoing microfracture during hip arthroscopy had significant improvement in all patient-reported outcome instruments during follow-up. The greatest improvement was noted at 6 months postoperatively. Both groups showed no significant difference in final patient-reported outcome instruments scores.

Early determinants of long-term clinical outcome after cartilage repair surgery in the knee

Purpose

To identify early determinants of clinical outcome after knee cartilage repair.

Methods

205 patients were evaluated before surgery and at median 14-years follow-up.

Results

Baseline factors predicting a good outcome were: single lesion; normal appearing cartilage surrounding the lesion; high baseline Lysholm score; short duration of symptoms; non-involvement of the patella-femoral joint; young age; and small defect. Factors predicting a poor outcome were: multiple lesions; low baseline Lysholm score; degenerative cartilage surrounding the lesion; long symptom duration; meniscal lesion; and large defect.

Conclusions

The choice of surgical method seem to be less important than other patients-specific predictors.

Level of evidence

Case series, Level IV.

The subchondral bone healing after fixation of an osteochondral talar defect is superior in comparison with microfracture

PURPOSE

Arthroscopic bone marrow stimulation (BMS) has been considered the primary surgical treatment for osteochondral defects (OCDs) of the talus. However, fixation has been considered as a good alternative. Recently, a new arthroscopic fixation technique was described: the lift, drill, fill and fix procedure (LDFF). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological results between arthroscopic LDFF and arthroscopic BMS in primary fixable talar OCDs at 1-year follow-up.

METHODS

In a prospective comparative study, 14 patients were treated with arthroscopic BMS and 14 patients with arthroscopic LDFF. Pre- and postoperative clinical assessment included the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and the numeric rating scales (NRSs) of pain at rest and running. Additionally, the level of the subchondral plate (flush or depressed) was analysed on the 1 year postoperative computed tomography scans.

RESULTS

No significant differences in the AOFAS and NRS pain at rest and running were found between both groups at 1-year follow-up. After LDFF the level of the subchondral bone plate was flush in 10 patients and after BMS in three patients (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

No clinical differences were found between arthroscopic LDFF and arthroscopic BMS in the treatment of talar OCDs at 1-year follow-up. However, the subchondral bone plate restores significantly superior after arthroscopic LDFF compared to arthroscopic BMS. It may therefore give less progression of ankle osteoarthritis in the future with a thus potential better long-term outcome.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Long-term clinical follow-up of microfracture versus mosaicplasty in articular cartilage defects of medial femoral condyle

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome after cartilage repair surgery in focal defects of the knee by microfracture versus mosaicplasty.

METHODS

A cohort of 102 patients undergoing microfracture (n=52) or mosaicplasty (n=50) of a single articular cartilage defect in the medial femoral condyle of ≤50mm² was evaluated by Lysholm score before surgery, at six months, 12months, five years, 10years, and 15-18years after surgery.

RESULTS

Median age of patients at the time of surgery was 36years (range 16-58) and median follow-up time was 16years (range 14-18). Defects were treated with a median size of three square centimetres (range one to five). A significant increase was seen in the Lysholm score from mean 48 (SD 16) at baseline to 66 (SD 23; P<0.001) at the 15-18year follow-up. The Lysholm score was higher in the mosaicplasty group at six months, 12months, five years and 10years (P<0.05 for all comparisons). These differences were clinically significant at all points (>10 points). However, at the final follow-up, the difference (eight points) did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

In the short-term, medium-term and long-term (10years), mosaicplasty in a single cartilage defect size one to five square centimetres of the femoral condyle resulted in clinically relevant better outcome than microfracture. However, at 15-18years after the surgery such a difference could not be found. In the six month to 10-15year (after surgery) perspective, the mosaicplasty procedure offered a better outcome in this type of lesion.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Comparative efficacy of cartilage repair procedures in the knee: a network meta-analysis

PURPOSE

While numerous randomized controlled trials have compared surgical treatments for cartilage defects of the knee, the comparative efficacy of these treatments is still poorly understood. The goal of this network meta-analysis was to synthesize these randomized data into a comprehensive model allowing pairwise comparisons of all treatment options and treatment rankings based on multiple measures of efficacy. We hypothesized that advanced chondral procedures would have improved outcomes when compared to microfracture.

METHODS

The MEDLINE, COCHRANE and EMBASE databases were searched systematically up to January 2015. The primary outcome was re-operation measured at 2, 5 and 10 years. Secondary outcomes included Tegner and Lysholm scores, the presence of hyaline cartilage on post-operative biopsy and graft hypertrophy. A random-effects network meta-analysis was performed, and the results are presented as odds ratios and mean differences with 95 % CIs. We ranked the comparative effects of all treatments with surface under the cumulative ranking probabilities.

RESULTS

Nineteen RCT from 15 separate cohorts including 855 patients were eligible for inclusion. No differences were seen in re-operation rates at 2 years. At 5 years osteochondral autografts (OC Auto) had a lower re-operation rate than microfracture (OR 0.03, 95 % CI 0.00-0.49), and at 10 years OC Auto had a lower re-operation rate than microfracture (OR 0.34, 95 % CI 0.12-0.92), but a higher re-operation rate than second-generation ACI (OR 5.81, 95 % CI 2.33-14.47). No significant differences in Tegner or Lysholm scores were seen at 2 years. Functional outcome data at 5 and 10 years were not available. Hyaline repair tissue was more common with OC Auto (OR 16.13, 95 % CI 2.80-92.91) and 2nd generation ACI (OR 7.69, 95 % CI 1.17-50) than microfracture, though the clinical significance of this is unknown. Second-generation ACI (OR 0.12, 95 % CI 0.02-0.59) and MACI (OR 0.13, 95 % CI 0.03-0.59) had significantly lower rates of graft hypertrophy than first-generation ACI. Second-generation ACI, OC Auto and MACI were the highest ranked treatments (in order) when all outcome measures were included.

CONCLUSIONS

Microfracture and advanced cartilage repair techniques have similar re-operation rates and functional outcomes at 2 years. However, advanced repair techniques provide higher-quality repair tissue and might afford lower re-operation rates at 5 and 10 years.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Meta-analysis studies, Level I.

Autologous-cell-derived, tissue-engineered cartilage for repairing articular cartilage lesions in the knee: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Spontaneous recovery from articular cartilage injury is difficult, and the ongoing progression of disease can eventually lead to osteoarthritis. Currently, there is no effective non-surgical treatment for articular cartilage injury. Arthroscopic debridement and microfracture surgery are performed for fibrocartilage repair. But fibrocartilage is different from normal articular cartilage, and functional recovery is not satisfactory. Therefore, it is necessary to develop more effective techniques for articular cartilage repair. Progress in material science, cell biology, biomechanics, and bioreactor technology has allowed the development of biomimetic, tissue-engineered osteochondral composites that have shown potential for the repair of damaged cartilage. We prepared biomimetic, tissue-engineered cartilage scaffolds optimized for biochemical composition and structural characteristics. Based on the experience of our pre-clinical studies on animals, a human articular cartilage acellular matrix scaffold was prepared and is in clinical use. The combination of autologous chondrocytes and scaffolds has shown satisfactory results in repairing cartilage defects in preliminary experiments.

Methods

This is a prospective randomized controlled trial. One hundred patients with full-thickness cartilage injury of the knee will be randomly divided into two groups to receive treatment with either tissue-engineered cartilage constructed using biomimetic cartilage extracellular-matrix-oriented scaffolds combined with autologous chondrocytes, or arthroscopic debridement and microfracture surgery. There will be five visiting time points: at baseline, then at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months postoperatively. The primary outcome will be therapeutic efficacy as assessed by the Lysholm score at 12 months postoperatively. The secondary outcomes will be the International Knee Documentation Committee score, Visual Analog Scale score, and cartilage injury and repair as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging as well as the incidence of postoperative adverse events.

Discussion

This trial will attempt to verify the use of tissue-engineered cartilage constructed using autologous chondrocytes combined with allogeneic, acellular cartilage matrix for the repair of cartilage defects, thereby providing favorable evidence for its use in clinical practice.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02770209. Registered on 11 May 2016.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2251-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.