:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/7/J20dyyiCwCNYJA27kKufzruIBZeitWiP.jpg)
OCA or MACI for large knee cartilage defectsWhen subchondral bone is damaged alongside large knee cartilage defects, OCA — a single-stage transplant of donor bone and cartilage — is the preferred choice; MACI, which implants cultured cells, cannot restore bone stock once lost.When subchondral bone is damaged alongside large knee cartilage defects, OCA — a single-stage transplant of donor bone and cartilage — is the preferred choice; MACI, which implants cultured cells, cannot restore bone stock once lost.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/7/is8VSWfOoDsMQEW39qaqpsJTqZrnWEvp.jpg)
Osteochondral Allograft for Post-Traumatic Knee DefectsWhen post-traumatic knee injury damages both cartilage and underlying bone, osteochondral allograft transplants provide a single-stage solution that other repair methods cannot match. Roughly 75–82% of patients return to sport; grafts show 87% survival at five years, declining to 68% at twenty.When post-traumatic knee injury damages both cartilage and underlying bone, osteochondral allograft transplants provide a single-stage solution that other repair methods cannot match. Roughly 75–82% of patients return to sport; grafts show 87% survival at five years, declining to 68% at twenty.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/7/jsvrgfCOH4IBtCsmXXnshr2LWJGubdnf.jpg)
MACI versus microfracture for knee cartilage repairMACI outperforms microfracture for knee cartilage defects of 3 cm² or larger, according to the SUMMIT randomised trial, which found significantly greater improvements in pain and function at two years that persisted through five years.MACI outperforms microfracture for knee cartilage defects of 3 cm² or larger, according to the SUMMIT randomised trial, which found significantly greater improvements in pain and function at two years that persisted through five years.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/7/LHnb5w8R1WfxNLva6mueVR3Y3do1aIeH.jpg)
Which specialist treats sciatica and when to escalateMost sciatica improves within 4–6 weeks at home, but the condition is frequently misattributed to nerve compression when other causes are responsible. The right specialist at the right care stage—not the 'best' specialist—determines whether treatment accelerates recovery or stalls it.Most sciatica improves within 4–6 weeks at home, but the condition is frequently misattributed to nerve compression when other causes are responsible. The right specialist at the right care stage—not the 'best' specialist—determines whether treatment accelerates recovery or stalls it.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/7/kdJLYT4OrqCVc66Qt59MAYpEnxqzgZZ2.jpg)
AMIC vs microfracture for knee cartilage repairBoth AMIC and microfracture improve pain and function in the first two years; beyond that point, microfracture outcomes progressively deteriorate whilst AMIC maintains stable gains through a decade of follow-up.Both AMIC and microfracture improve pain and function in the first two years; beyond that point, microfracture outcomes progressively deteriorate whilst AMIC maintains stable gains through a decade of follow-up.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/7/i8t6Yjur73KhH2TmWtX8RJs0l4Dot6mQ.jpg)
ACI knee cartilage repair in the UKACI harvests a patient's own cartilage cells, cultures them to roughly 20 times their original number, then implants them in a second operation; NHS funding applies only to patients with defects over 2 cm², no prior cartilage repair, minimal arthritis, and access to a specialist centre.ACI harvests a patient's own cartilage cells, cultures them to roughly 20 times their original number, then implants them in a second operation; NHS funding applies only to patients with defects over 2 cm², no prior cartilage repair, minimal arthritis, and access to a specialist centre.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/7/ZxrFplLqik6Q3f66pfQogigyqEsWsha8.jpg)
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.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/7/w9BuBrEdoWNgTujNVQw5fQHnPeY91pso.jpg)
Allograft or Autograft for Large Knee Cartilage DefectsDefect size is the primary determinant in knee cartilage repair: below 4 cm², autograft transfer from low-load zones is standard; above that threshold, cadaveric allograft removes the biological supply ceiling.Defect size is the primary determinant in knee cartilage repair: below 4 cm², autograft transfer from low-load zones is standard; above that threshold, cadaveric allograft removes the biological supply ceiling.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/6/KjpMHrbjL20lkYbuDX3KR2dJ4SZiKdyx.jpg)
MACI vs Microfracture for Knee Cartilage RepairFor focal knee cartilage defects above 3 cm², MACI outperformed microfracture across all clinical measures: pain scores improved to 82.5 versus 70.9 at two years, with durability sustained at five-year follow-up.For focal knee cartilage defects above 3 cm², MACI outperformed microfracture across all clinical measures: pain scores improved to 82.5 versus 70.9 at two years, with durability sustained at five-year follow-up.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/6/ig10wwvpHO9FMeyjL3Bx3nmUA3dq9cSS.jpg)
Cartilage repair or knee replacementThe choice between cartilage repair and knee replacement hinges on whether damage is focal or diffuse. Isolated defects in otherwise healthy joints can be repaired; widespread bone-on-bone osteoarthritis affecting multiple compartments requires replacement instead.The choice between cartilage repair and knee replacement hinges on whether damage is focal or diffuse. Isolated defects in otherwise healthy joints can be repaired; widespread bone-on-bone osteoarthritis affecting multiple compartments requires replacement instead.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/6/noSAeN4a2BSC0Xti4RlZr7R5GcLNDLgg.jpg)
STACi vs MACI for knee cartilage repairSTACi performs knee cartilage repair in one operation by combining bone-marrow stem cells with patient chondrocytes on a three-dimensional scaffold — differing from MACI in cell composition and scaffold structure, though lacking randomised-trial evidence for long-term durability.STACi performs knee cartilage repair in one operation by combining bone-marrow stem cells with patient chondrocytes on a three-dimensional scaffold — differing from MACI in cell composition and scaffold structure, though lacking randomised-trial evidence for long-term durability.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/6/Uh220ymeNrmh32wGZlaNVvxBPMuQySoo.jpg)
Recovery After OATS for Ankle Cartilage RepairOATS (osteochondral autograft transfer) replaces damaged ankle cartilage and bone with a healthy graft from the knee, producing hyaline-like tissue rather than scar tissue; at ten years, graft survival reached 94.9% and functional scores improved from 51.9 to 75.3, though donor-site morbidity affected 6.7–10.8%.OATS (osteochondral autograft transfer) replaces damaged ankle cartilage and bone with a healthy graft from the knee, producing hyaline-like tissue rather than scar tissue; at ten years, graft survival reached 94.9% and functional scores improved from 51.9 to 75.3, though donor-site morbidity affected 6.7–10.8%.
