Autologous collagen-induced chondrogenesis versus microfracture for chondral defects of the knee: Surgical technique and 2-year comparison outcome study.

Abstract

Osteochondral lesions of the knee affect patients from all age groups with arthroscopic microfracture being the current gold standard of treatment of such lesions. Autologous collagen-induced chondrogenesis (ACIC) is a novel procedure that has recently been gaining popularity. This study aims to compare the 6 and 24 month post-operative outcomes between patients undergoing microfracture only and microfracture with ACIC. Patients from both groups were assessed pre-operatively, at 6 and 24 months post-operatively for functional outcomes using SF-36 and IKDC scoring (International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form). Both groups showed improved SF-36 and IKDC scores at 6 and 24 months, however patients who underwent ACIC showed better SF-36 mental component and IKDC scores 24 months after surgery. This demonstrates that ACIC is an effective, single-stage, joint-preserving procedure which is comparable, if not better, in treating chondral defects.