Mid-term results of Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis for treatment of focal cartilage defects in the knee

Articular cartilage defects heal poorly. Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis (AMIC) is an innovative treatment for localized full-thickness cartilage defects combining the well-known microfracturing with collagen scaffold and fibrin glue. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the medium-term results of this enhanced microfracture technique for the treatment of chondral lesions of the knee. Thirty-two chondral lesions in 27 patients were treated with AMIC. Within the context of clinical follow-up, these patients were evaluated for up to 5 years after the intervention. Five different scores (Meyer score, Tegner score, Lysholm score, ICRS score, Cincinatti score) as well as radiographs were used for outcome analysis. Articular resurfacing was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The average age of patients (11 females, 16 males; mean body mass index 26, range 20–32) was 37 years (range 16–50 years). The mean defect size of the chondral lesions was 4.2 cm 2 (range 1.3–8.8 cm 2 ). All defects were classified as grade IV according to the Outerbridge classification. The follow-up period was between 24 and 62 months with a mean of 37 months. Twenty out of 23 individuals (87%) questioned were subjectively highly satisfied with the results after surgery. Significant improvement ( P