Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) is an effective surgical treatment for chondral defects. ACI involves arthrotomy for cell implantation. We describe the development of an intra-articular injection of cultured MSC, progressing from in-vitro analysis, through animal model, clinical and radiological outcome at five years follow up We prospectively investigated sixteen patients with symptomatic ICRS grade III and IV lesions. These patients underwent cartilage repair using cultured mesenchymal stem cell injections and are followed up for five years.Introduction
Materials and Methods