Who qualifies for MACI knee surgeryMACI grows hyaline-like cartilage from the patient's own cells and maintains superior pain and function scores at five years, unlike microfracture, whose fibrocartilage typically deteriorates within two to three years.MACI grows hyaline-like cartilage from the patient's own cells and maintains superior pain and function scores at five years, unlike microfracture, whose fibrocartilage typically deteriorates within two to three years.
Cartilage Specialist or General Orthopaedic SurgeonFocal cartilage damage—treated with progressive repair techniques from injections to cell-based therapy—warrants a cartilage specialist. Widespread arthritis, fractures, or joint replacement require a general orthopaedic surgeon. Damage type and location, not pain severity, determine which specialist is appropriate.Focal cartilage damage—treated with progressive repair techniques from injections to cell-based therapy—warrants a cartilage specialist. Widespread arthritis, fractures, or joint replacement require a general orthopaedic surgeon. Damage type and location, not pain severity, determine which specialist is appropriate.
ChondroFiller for focal knee defects, not osteoarthritisChondroFiller is an injectable collagen scaffold that recruits a patient's own progenitor cells for cartilage repair. It works only on focal defects; chronic inflammation and cell depletion in osteoarthritis eliminate the biological conditions it requires.ChondroFiller is an injectable collagen scaffold that recruits a patient's own progenitor cells for cartilage repair. It works only on focal defects; chronic inflammation and cell depletion in osteoarthritis eliminate the biological conditions it requires.
When cartilage repair makes sense before knee replacementTotal knee replacement achieves over 90% long-term success, yet patients under 55 face substantially higher revision risk within 20 years. For focal cartilage damage in the mid-40s, repair offers a joint-preservation pathway suited to this earlier disease stage—provided defect size and patient profile meet defined clinical criteria.Total knee replacement achieves over 90% long-term success, yet patients under 55 face substantially higher revision risk within 20 years. For focal cartilage damage in the mid-40s, repair offers a joint-preservation pathway suited to this earlier disease stage—provided defect size and patient profile meet defined clinical criteria.
OATS versus mosaicplasty for knee cartilage repairOATS and mosaicplasty are the same surgical technique applied at different scales: OATS transfers a single cartilage plug for knee defects under 2 cm², mosaicplasty tiles smaller grafts across 2–4 cm² lesions.OATS and mosaicplasty are the same surgical technique applied at different scales: OATS transfers a single cartilage plug for knee defects under 2 cm², mosaicplasty tiles smaller grafts across 2–4 cm² lesions.
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.
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.
ChondroFiller injection vs surgery for focal knee cartilageAn ultrasound-guided collagen injection activates the joint's own regenerative cells to repair focal knee cartilage defects; 70–85% of treated patients report meaningful symptom relief within three to five years.An ultrasound-guided collagen injection activates the joint's own regenerative cells to repair focal knee cartilage defects; 70–85% of treated patients report meaningful symptom relief within three to five years.
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.
Single-stage or two-stage cartilage repairCartilage repair decisions hinge on defect size: lesions below roughly 1.5–2 cm² suit single-stage surgery, those of 2–4 cm² permit either approach, and larger defects typically require tissue replacement rather than repair.Cartilage repair decisions hinge on defect size: lesions below roughly 1.5–2 cm² suit single-stage surgery, those of 2–4 cm² permit either approach, and larger defects typically require tissue replacement rather than repair.
Why ultrasound guidance matters for ChondroFiller hip injectionChondroFiller, an injectable collagen scaffold delivered via ultrasound-guided clinic injection, sets within the hip joint and draws the body's own progenitor cells to repair cartilage damage. Around 70–85% of patients report significant pain relief without surgery or general anaesthetic.ChondroFiller, an injectable collagen scaffold delivered via ultrasound-guided clinic injection, sets within the hip joint and draws the body's own progenitor cells to repair cartilage damage. Around 70–85% of patients report significant pain relief without surgery or general anaesthetic.
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.