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Revision as of 08:12, 27 August 2008 by Tgxstudent (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Autologous Chrondrocyte Implantation (ACI) procedures are cell based repair procedures that aim to provide complete hyaline (repair tissues for articular cartilage repair. Over the last 20 years the procedure has become more wirdespread and it is currently probably the most researched articular cartilage repair technique.
How Autologous Chondrocyte Implantations work
This cell based articular cartilage repair procedure takes place in three stages. In a first stage, chondrocyte cells are extracted arthroscopically from a non load-bearing area from either the intercondylar notch or the superior ridge of the medial or lateral femoral chondyles of the patient. These cells, that are originally harvested, are grown in vitro in specialised laboratories for approximately fout to six weeks until there are enough cells to reintroduce on the damaged area of the articular cartilage. The patient then undergoes a second surgery, in which the chondrocyte cells are applied on the damaged area. These cells then adapt themselves to their environment, forming new cartilage. During this surgery, chondrocyte cells can be injected, applied on the damaged area in combination with a membrane or implanted in a matrix structure. All methods have their pros and cons.
The Next Generation of ACI - Using Characterized Chondrocyte Implantations
The latest development in cell based cartilage repairs consists of characterizing the chondrocyte cells which will be implanted. Characterized chondrocyte cells form a much higher quality hyaline cartilage than ordinary chondrocyte cells. They are, therefore, believed to be more durable than the usual autologous chondrocyte cells. In February 2008, a scientific article in the American Journal of Sports Medicine prooved that ChondroCelect (the first product offering a Characterized Chondrocyte Implantation - CCI) results in better structural repair than microfracture surgery when treating symptomatic cartilage defects of the knee.
References
- "Characterized Chondrocyte Implantation Results in Better Structural Repair When Treating Symptomatic Cartilage Defects in the Knee in a Randomized Controlled Trial Versus Microfracture" The American Journal of Sports Medicine, volume 36 number 2, pp 235-246, February 2008
- Hambly K, Bobic V, Wondrasch B, Van Assche D, Marlovits S. Autologous chondrocyte implantation postoperative care and rehabilitation: Science and practice. Am J Sports Med. 2006;34(6):1020-1038.
- “Autologous Chondrocyte implantation (ACI 2002 Update). Department of labor and Industries Office of the Medical director Technology Assessement. 2002. . April 14, 2006.
- “Cartilage Transplantation”. University of South Alabama Human Performance and Joint Restoration Center. USA Department of Orthopaedics.
- Minas, Tom. Autologous chondrocyte implantation for full thickness cartilage defects of the knee. Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Cartilage Repair Center.
- “Minimally Invasive Total Knee Replacement.” American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. . February 2005.
- BBC Coverage of Autologous Chondrocyte graft in UK
- UK Health Charity covers Autologous Chondrocyte grafts
- The American Journal of Sports Medicine, volume 36 number 2, pp 235-246, February 2008