Combined autologous chondrocyte implantation and meniscus reconstruction for large chondral defect in the lateral compartment due to discoid lateral meniscus tear: A case report

Discoid lateral meniscus tear leads to large chondral defect in the lateral compartment of the knee joint. There are few effective treatments for large chondral defect in both the tibial and femoral sides with severe degenerative lateral meniscus. We have developed a combined autologous chondrocyte implantation and meniscus reconstruction technique using hamstring tendon. This technique allows biological reconstruction and avoids knee arthroplasty.

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Discoid lateral meniscus tear leads to large chondral defect.

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A combination of autologous chondrocyte implantation and meniscus reconstruction technique using hamstring tendon is introduced.

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This novel method allows biological reconstruction.

2016 barriers to cartilage restoration

Cartilage restoration has flourished since the 1990s. The early pioneering work included cell therapy by Peterson, marrow stimulation by Johnson, osteochondral autograft treatments by Hangody, and osteochondral allografts by Gross. Since those early days, many scientists and clinicians have created "variations on a theme", markedly expanding the potential options for treating patients with symptomatic chondral lesions. Nevertheless, a variety of barriers exist between these new cartilage products and their clinical applications. These barriers may be categorized as cost, regulatory, insurance, and logistical issues. While absolute solutions will remain elusive, the current goal is to define these barriers as the first step toward solving these problems.

Effect of the direct injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in hyaluronic acid and bone marrow stimulation to treat chondral defects in the canine model

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to assess the direct injection of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) suspended in hyaluronic acid (HA) combined with drilling as a treatment for chondral defects in a canine model.

Methods

Tibial bone marrow was aspirated, and BMSCs were isolated and cultured. One 8.0-mm diameter chondral defect was created in the femoral groove, and nine 0.9-mm diameter holes were drilled into the defect. BMSCs (2.14 × 10⁷ cells) suspended in HA were injected into the defect. HA alone was injected into a similar defect on the contralateral knee as a control. Animals were sacrificed at 3 and 6 months.

Results

Although the percentage of coverage assessed macroscopically was significantly better at 6 months than at 3 months in both the BMSC (p = 0.02) and control (p = 0.001) groups, there were no significant differences in the International Cartilage Repair Society grades. The Wakitani histological score was significantly better at 6 months than at 3 months in the BMSC and control groups. While the control defects were mostly filled with fibrocartilage, several of the defects in the BMSC group contained hyaline-like cartilage. The mean Wakitani scores of the BMSC group improved from 7.0 ± 1.0 at 3 months to 4.6 ± 0.9 at 6 months, and those of the control group improved from 9.4 ± 1.2 to 6.0 ± 0.6. The BMSC group showed significantly better regeneration than the control group at 3 months (p = 0.04), but the difference at 6 months was not significant (p = 0.06).

Conclusions

The direct injection of BMSCs in HA combined with drilling enhanced cartilage regeneration.