Study Summary

Fifty-four patients with focal osteochondral knee lesions were randomized to receive either a biphasic scaffold loaded with autologous cartilage (n=27) or marrow stimulation (n=27). The primary outcome was the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score at 2 years. Secondary outcomes included the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subscales and MRI-based cartilage filling. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years post-treatment. Overall, the scaffold group achieved greater improvements in the KOOS Symptoms/Stiffness and Sports/Recreation subscales compared to the marrow stimulation group. MRI showed superior cartilage refill and more isointense signal intensity in the scaffold group. The findings suggest that biphasic scaffold treatment leads to better clinical outcomes and cartilage regeneration than marrow stimulation at 2 years.