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

Anyone know of Arthroscopic ACI attempts? - - Posted by shhh117 (shhh117), 23 November 2004

Was wondering if anyone knows of less intrusive techniques being done currently. Perhaps arthroscopic implantation of the cartilage or something with less overall trauma to the region.

Thanks
Posted by blue_ezzie (blue_ezzie), 24 November 2004

Apparently athroscopic ACI is on the cards, but as far as I know this is not available anywhere yet. If you are not in an enormous amount of pain then I would think about waiting (although I have no idea how long it will take!). As you are aware, ACI - or the newer surgery, MACI - is a very invasive procedure with a long rehabilitation. Talk to a couple of surgeons to get their opinion.



Posted by JulianUK (JulianUK), 25 November 2004

Hi,

This is the latest development for MACI (not ACI) and has just been started in Germany in the last year. It can only be done for femoral condyle defects at present.

They role up the sheet of cartilage and then once inside your knee unrole it and stick it on. However the open procedure is currently more successful at present.

regards,

Jules.
Posted by shhh117 (shhh117), 25 November 2004

Thanks for the info. The other options given to me for my knee have already been tried other then a lateral release and the doctor who is going to do the arthroscopy to harvest the cartillage said that if it looked like a lateral release would improve the condition, we would try that and stop there to see how it goes. Turns our the cartilage can be saved for at least 1 year.
Posted by brattkids2 (brattkids2), 27 November 2004

I did not have a traditional ACI but I had a synthetic material that was placed over my lesions through a scope. I was in so much pain due to the lesions being full thickness and some bone chips my OS did not want me to have to wait for the cells to grow so we tried this stuff.

The material is still experimental and I am not sure how many OS use it.

The incision was just about an inch to get the material in so I didnt have to have a complete open. Plus the two other  traditional small scope holes.

My lateral side is healing nicely (material placed on the lesions in August) but the medial side didnt. I had a bad leg jam which jammed the joint pretty good and we are not sure if this caused the failure but I had a traditional OATS to repair that November 11. OS said when he viewed the lateral side it was getting nice and shiney just like my natural cartilage.

Hope this helps a bit
Paulette
Posted by shhh117 (shhh117), 28 November 2004

Thanks for that. My knee only swells and is in pain during aggressive sports. So I can wait a few weeks to  grow cartilage.  I guess the question is is this surgery worth the ability to ski and play basketball or am I just better off sticking to golf. Hoping this keeps me from ending up with artificial knees as well.  Thanks for the info.

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