Contemporary Management of Knee Chondral Defects, Part III: Cell-Based Cartilage Repair Including Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation, Orthobiologics, and Tissue-Engineered Constructs.

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Cell-based cartilage repair strategies seek biologic regeneration of articular cartilage rather than mechanical resurfacing. These approaches are most appropriate for medium-to-large, contained focal defects in patients who have preserved alignment and subchondral bone who are willing to undergo staged procedures and prolonged rehabilitation. Autologous chondrocyte implantation, particularly in its matrix-induced form, represents the most established cell-based platform. Long-term follow-up studies demonstrate sustained improvements in patient-reported outcomes with acceptable reoperation and arthroplasty conversion rates beyond 10 years. Evidence remains the strongest for the technique as a class rather than for individual proprietary systems. In contrast, point-of-care orthobiologics, including bone marrow aspirate concentrate and platelet-rich plasma, are widely utilized despite heterogeneous protocols and limited high-level comparative data. Although short-term symptomatic improvements are frequently reported, structural imaging outcomes and durability remain inconsistent. Standardization challenges complicate interpretation of the existing literature. Emerging therapies, including adipose-derived regenerative cell systems, cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cell constructs, and tissue-engineered osteochondral platforms, aim to enhance biologic regeneration while reducing

Evidence level

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

Browse all related research

Filter the research library by this study's title keywords, author, or publication year.