We assessed 224 patients treated with Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation performed 10–20 years ago (average 12.8 years). Average age at the time of the implantation was 33.3 years. Average size of lesion was 5.3 cm2 (range 0.6–16), while 55 patients sustained multiple lesions. The participants filled out five questionnaires. Lysholm score, Tegner-Walgren, modified Cincinnati (Noyes), Brittberg score, and KOOS were assessed. In addition, the patients were asked to grade their current situation compared to their previous follow up as better, worse of unchanged. Finally, they were asked if they would do the operation again, answering with yes or no.

The patients were divided into groups according to the location and characteristics of the cartilage lesions, or concomitant surgeries during the ACI. Assessment of the outcomes reveals a significant improvement in all groups, compared with the preoperative values.

There is no other study assessing a cartilage treatment with such a long follow up. According to the results of that study, autologous chondrocyte implantation seems to be an effective and durable solution for the treatment of large full thickness cartilage and osteochondral lesions of the knee joint