Reviving Knee Cartilage — Here is What You Need To Know About Autologous Chondrocyte ImplantationAutologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) leads the way in knee cartilage repair techniques. This process is followed by several important steps to guarantee a successful regeneration in the cartilage, giving hope to those suffering joint pain with limited mobility.
Understanding ACI
What is ACI?
ACI is a two-stage surgical procedure that involves using the patient’s own cartilage cells to repair damaged areas which do not heal on their own. During the first stage, arthroscopic surgery is performed to remove healthy cartilage cells from a non-weightbearing area of the knee. The cartilage cells, called chondrocytes, are cultured in the lab for about 4 to 6 weeks so that they proliferate profusely.
The Implantation Process
Second stage is the open surgery, that is a much more invazive.cartilage regeneration (ad) Preoperative radiation therapy (Periosteum overlying osteoradionecrosis) This patch was actually left in, and when cultured chondrocytes were then injected under it, they successfully began to synthesize with the adjacent tissue to generate new cartilage! The aim of this method is to restore articular surface of joint which is so necessary for pain free movement and full function74.
Benefits and Considerations
Advantages of ACI
Minimally Invasive Harvesting: The first step of cell removal is performed arthroscopically rather than traditional open surgeries done on the knee.
Patient’s Own Cells: Because ACI uses autologous cells, there is little chance of rejection or adverse reactions.
Long Term Relief: Many patients experience substantial reduction in pain and improvement in function: 85% success in returning to normal activities237.
Limitations and Risks
Two-steps Procedure: Some patients consider the requirement for two separate surgeries to be a disadvantage.
It takes a handful of months to reach full recovery; weight-bearing activities are limited during this time.
For Certain Patients Only: ACI is generally recommended for specific lesions, as opposed to more diffuse arthrosis46.
Future Directions
Romanian techniques are evolving, for instance matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI). MACI: The use of a collagen membrane can help implant chondrocytes in the defect site more easily. This innovation could offer better outcomes with shorter recovery times than traditional ACI methods56.
Overall, autologous chondrocyte implantation is a major step forward in orthopedic medicine and provides an effective means of knee cartilage regeneration. Through the activation of the body healing process, ACI can heal cartilage damages that would have otherwise led to joint degeneration and reduction in movement.