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AMIC versus MACI for focal cartilage repairAMIC repairs focal cartilage defects in one operation: drilling channels into damaged cartilage releases a blood clot rich in stem cells, which a collagen membrane then stabilises and concentrates to guide tissue repair. A 2025 trial found it equivalent to MACI at two years.AMIC repairs focal cartilage defects in one operation: drilling channels into damaged cartilage releases a blood clot rich in stem cells, which a collagen membrane then stabilises and concentrates to guide tissue repair. A 2025 trial found it equivalent to MACI at two years.
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OATS for focal knee cartilage repair in active patientsSingle-stage transplantation of cartilage plugs from the patient's own knee achieves 8.4-year mean functional survival in younger active patients — nearly double microfracture repair — with 75–93% returning to pre-injury sport within six to nine months.Single-stage transplantation of cartilage plugs from the patient's own knee achieves 8.4-year mean functional survival in younger active patients — nearly double microfracture repair — with 75–93% returning to pre-injury sport within six to nine months.
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Choosing joint preserving surgery before knee replacementOne-compartment knee wear does not automatically mean replacement is next: bracing, osteotomy and focal cartilage repair can reduce pain and delay arthroplasty when alignment and damage remain localised. Microfracture is now usually limited to very small defects, while AMIC, MACI, OATS and OCA are chosen by lesion size, depth and…One-compartment knee wear does not automatically mean replacement is next: bracing, osteotomy and focal cartilage repair can reduce pain and delay arthroplasty when alignment and damage remain localised. Microfracture is now usually limited to very small defects, while AMIC, MACI, OATS and OCA are chosen by lesion size, depth and joint health.
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Choosing cartilage repair pathways for knee and ankleSmall focal cartilage defects in the knee and ankle are treated differently from diffuse arthritis: first with physiotherapy and symptom control, then with repair procedures such as microfracture for lesions under about 1.0 cm², scaffold augmentation for larger defects, and OATS or osteochondral allograft for bigger or cystic lesions.Small focal cartilage defects in the knee and ankle are treated differently from diffuse arthritis: first with physiotherapy and symptom control, then with repair procedures such as microfracture for lesions under about 1.0 cm², scaffold augmentation for larger defects, and OATS or osteochondral allograft for bigger or cystic lesions.
