2015 AAOS Annual Meeting: A Multi-Center Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial of Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation

390 patients with chondral knee defects and previously failed surgery were randomized to undergo either autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) or an alternative standard repair procedure (ie. microfracture, autologous matrix-induced chrondrogenesis, mosaicplasty, debridement), with the choice of standard treatment left to the patient and surgeon. The purpose of this study was to determine if ACI conferred a significant functional benefit when compared to standard chondral repair procedures over the long-term. Primary outcomes were Lysolm score and loss of benefit, with secondary measures included patient-report outcome measures (Cincinnati, IKDC, and EQ5D) and patient satisfaction. Results at 5 years were reported. Both groups displayed a high rate of reoperation (247 additional procedures between the two groups), with no significant difference in Lysholm score or Cincinnati score. The ACI group demonstrated significantly higher IKDC scores at 5 years, as well as higher patient satisfaction (59% vs. 43%). Patients will continue to be followed-up for an additional 5 years.