Injectable autologous chondrocyte transplantation for full thickness acetabular cartilage defects: early clinical...

Acetabular cartilage lesions are frequently seen in young patients with hip pain and have been identified as an important prognostic factor. New therapies have complemented abrasion and microfracture procedures. The aim of the study is to evaluate the early outcome of patients with arthroscopic injectable autologous chondrocyte transplantations (ACT) for full thickness acetabular cartilage defects.

A two-step procedure ACT was performed in patients with full thickness acetabular cartilage defects measuring ≥2 cm(2). The patients were closely followed with clinical examination, pre- and postoperative scores until the latest available follow-up of 3, 6, 12, and 24 months.

20 consecutive cases (4 female, 16 male, mean age 33 years) were included. No patients were lost at final follow-up. The average defect size was 5.05 (range 2-6) cm(2). The average follow-up was 12.05 (range 6-24) months. Three months postoperatively the preoperative scores improved significantly from a mean mHHS of 63-81 points (p = 0.009), iHOT33 of 44-66 % (p = 0.028) and subjective hip assessment (Subjective Hip Value, SHV) of 60-87 % (p = 0.007). After 12 months the results improved significantly to a mean mHHS of 93 points (p = 0.017), an iHOT33 of 79 % (p = 0.007) and an SHV of 82 % (p = 0.048) compared with the preoperative scores.

The injectable matrix associated ACT is a reliable procedure, yielding promising early results with a significant increase of all scores evaluated in patients with full thickness acetabular cartilage defects.