The management of grade 4 articular cartilage defects of the knee is a great challenge and surgical techniques are evolving. This single surgeon series evaluated the results of articular cartilage implantation using matrix assisted autologous cartilage implantation (B Braun, Tetec, Reutlingen Germany) in 28 patients who had failed previous micro-fracture or chondroplasty. Patients with a single chronic symptomatic full thickness defect either on the femoral condyle, trochlea or the patella were included. The defect size varied from 2.5 cm2 to 9.6 cm2. The mean age was 41.3 years and the mean duration of symptoms prior to surgery was 27 months (6–96). Functional outcome was evaluated using the IKDC, KOOS, Tegner Lysholm and VAS pain scores. Patients also quantified their improvement in percentage or descriptive terms. Radiological assessment was carried out using MRI.Introduction and Aim
Material and methods
