Ten year follow-up of a randomized trial of autologous chondrocyte implantation versus alternative forms of surgical cartilage management in the knee.

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Study Summary

390 patients with symptomatic knee cartilage defects following unsuccessful previous surgical treatment were randomized to receive autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) or alternative surgical cartilage management. The primary outcome of interest was knee function, measured using the patient-reported Lysholm knee score. Secondary outcomes included International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, Cincinnati knee scores, patient satisfaction, health-related quality of life, treatment failure, and serious adverse events. Outcomes were assessed annually for up to 10 years. Overall, the results revealed that ACI provided significantly better long-term knee function than alternative surgical treatments, although treatment failure rates were comparable. Previous marrow stimulation did not appear to negatively affect outcomes following ACI. These findings suggested that ACI offered durable functional benefits and remained a potential revision treatment for patients with persistent symptoms following previous cartilage surgery.