KNEE ARTHRITIS - Autologous chondrocyte implantation (A.C.I.) :

Difference between ACI and MACI? - - Posted by shhh117 (shhh117), 25 November 2004

Can someone explain the difference. Does one have better results or is one newer?

Are they more slightly different problems?
Posted by JulianUK (JulianUK), 25 November 2004

The difference is as follows:-

In ACI they take a sliver of bone off your shin and use it as a flap over the defected area and inject cartilage cells underneath the flap. They then grow around it and resurface your bone with cartilage.

In MACI they take your cells and then grow them on a matrix sheet in the lab (probably on pig/horse membrane). This sheet is then glued onto your bone using a glue made up from your own fibrin and blood cells (not an expert on the science). The cells then grow and cover the defect with new cartilage.

I've only had MACI done, first me left leg last year and now my right last month. The first leg is doing well at a year stage and I have a good layer of new carilage over the defected areas - I had both patella and femoral condyle grafted. Hopefully the right will do the same.

I hope this helps.

kind regards,

Jules.

This old Forum was so valuable that we have kept it as an archive. It is just for reference. If you want to ask questions or offer advice, there is also a current Bulletin Board which you can access from our home page.