ACI vs MACI for knee cartilage repairMACI seeds harvested chondrocytes onto a collagen membrane secured with fibrin glue; first-generation ACI injects them as a liquid suspension under a sutured periosteal patch. This engineering difference has driven MACI's adoption: complication rates of approximately 10% versus 29%, with superior pain reduction and activity levels.MACI seeds harvested chondrocytes onto a collagen membrane secured with fibrin glue; first-generation ACI injects them as a liquid suspension under a sutured periosteal patch. This engineering difference has driven MACI's adoption: complication rates of approximately 10% versus 29%, with superior pain reduction and activity levels.
ChondroFiller or Arthrosamid for your kneeChondroFiller repairs focal cartilage defects via a collagen scaffold, and Arthrosamid provides cushioning by integrating into the synovial lining — because they target different anatomical structures, the MRI scan, not patient preference, determines which injection is appropriate.ChondroFiller repairs focal cartilage defects via a collagen scaffold, and Arthrosamid provides cushioning by integrating into the synovial lining — because they target different anatomical structures, the MRI scan, not patient preference, determines which injection is appropriate.
Telling a meniscus tear from knee arthritisA meniscus tear begins at an identifiable moment. Osteoarthritis doesn't—it accumulates silently over months or years. This difference in onset is the single most reliable way to tell them apart.A meniscus tear begins at an identifiable moment. Osteoarthritis doesn't—it accumulates silently over months or years. This difference in onset is the single most reliable way to tell them apart.
OATS and Mosaicplasty for Knee Cartilage Repairgenuine hyaline cartilage — theknee's native resilient material — togenuine hyaline cartilage — the knee's native resilient material — to
OATS or microfracture for active knee patientsMicrofracture improves early but deteriorates progressively beyond two years because it deposits fibrocartilage, whilst OATS transplants intact cartilage that remains stable long-term.Microfracture improves early but deteriorates progressively beyond two years because it deposits fibrocartilage, whilst OATS transplants intact cartilage that remains stable long-term.
Chondroplasty for knee cartilage damageChondroplasty removes loose cartilage fragments that cause catching and grinding, relieving mechanical symptoms, but does not rebuild the cartilage itself; it is palliative, not restorative.Chondroplasty removes loose cartilage fragments that cause catching and grinding, relieving mechanical symptoms, but does not rebuild the cartilage itself; it is palliative, not restorative.
Who benefits from an unloader knee braceUnloader braces use three-point pressure to shift load away from damaged cartilage. They work only for single-compartment osteoarthritis, and success depends more on professional fitting and follow-up than the device itself.Unloader braces use three-point pressure to shift load away from damaged cartilage. They work only for single-compartment osteoarthritis, and success depends more on professional fitting and follow-up than the device itself.
What IKDC and MOCART data show about ChondroFillerChondroFiller injection improveskneefunction by an averageChondroFiller injection improves knee function by an average
How defect size determines OATS or OCAfrom the patient's ownknee; larger lesions require OCA,from the patient's own knee; larger lesions require OCA,
How long osteochondral allografts laston patient BMI, priorkneesurgery, and adherence toon patient BMI, prior knee surgery, and adherence to
How defect size and age decide OATS or OCAfrom the patient's ownknee) or donor allograft (OCA):from the patient's own knee) or donor allograft (OCA):
ChondroFiller NHS status and private access in the UKscaffold that improves IKDCkneescores by roughly 30scaffold that improves IKDC knee scores by roughly 30