Articular Cartilage Injury and Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation

Injuries to the knee articular cartilage are extremely common, and, until recently, methods for treatment did not produce good long-term results. A better understanding of how articular cartilage responds to injury has produced various techniques that hold promise for long-term success. Among such techniques is autologous chondrocyte implantation, in which a patient's own cartilage cells are harvested, grown ex vivo, and reimplanted in a full-thickness articular surface defect. Results are available with up to 10 years' follow-up, and more than 80% of patients have shown improvement with relatively few complications.