Treatment of cartilage defects in the patella with autologous chondrocyte implantation achieved self-rated subjective good and excellent outcomes in more than 80% of patients when performed with attention to patellofemoral biomechanics, according to study results.
Researchers followed 110 patients with cartilage defects in the patella or bipolar defects treated with autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) for at least 4 years with multiple patient-reported outcome instruments, including the International Knee Documentation Committee scale, SF-12, the modified Cincinnati Rating Scale, the WOMAC index and Knee Society Scores. They defined treatment failure as structural failure of the graft combined with pain that required revision surgery.
Statistically significant and clinically important improvements in pain and function were noted on all physical outcome scales, according to the researchers. Patients’ International Knee Documentation Committee scores improved from 40 preoperatively to 69 at final follow-up. Cincinnati Rating Scale scores improved from 3.2 to 6.2, and WOMAC scores improved from 50 to 29.
According to study results, 86% of patients rated their knees as good or excellent at the time of final follow-up, and 92% of patients reported they would choose to undergo ACI again. Eight percent of the patients were considered treatment failures, and 16% reported that their knees were not improved.
Disclosures: Gomoll, Cole, Gillogly and Minas are consultants for Sanofi.
