
What is Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation?
Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is a procedure to treat the articular cartilage defects of the knee. This procedure is effective for treating small areas of cartilage damage that causes pain and swelling and restricts range of motion. Autologous chondrocyte implantation is not indicated if you have advanced arthritis of the knee.
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation Procedure
Autologous chondrocyte implantation is a two-stage procedure.
The first step is performed arthroscopically to evaluate the cartilage defect. If the defect is appropriate for an ACI procedure, the healthy cartilage cells are harvested from the non-weight-bearing area of the bone. The healthy cartilage cells are then sent to the laboratory where the cells are cultured and multiplied over a 3- to 5-week period. Once enough cells have grown, the second procedure called arthrotomy or an open procedure is performed.
In the second procedure, a large incision is made to expose the area of cartilage damage. A second incision is then made over the shinbone and a “patch” is harvested from the periosteum, a thick tissue that covers the shinbone. This periosteal patch that is harvested is cut appropriately to match the size of the cartilage defect. The patch is then sewn over the cartilage defect and the cultured cells are injected underneath the periosteal patch, which holds the new cartilage cells around the cartilage defect.
Postoperative Care following Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation
Following the ACI procedure, you will not be allowed to bear weight for at least 6-8 weeks so that the cells adhere to the underlying bone. You may still observe limited range of motion for a certain period.
Complications of Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation
One of the most common complications of ACI is periosteal hypertrophy which occurs due to scar tissue formation around the edges of the periosteal patch. Other complications such as implant failure, knee infection and knee stiffness may also occur.
Advantages of Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation
The advantage of the ACI procedure is that the cartilage cells are taken from your own body; hence, there is a reduced risk of the graft being rejected by your body.
The disadvantage is that it is a two-step procedure and requires an open incision.
Related Topics
- Knee Arthroscopy
- ACL Reconstruction
- ACL Reconstruction with Quadriceps Tendon
- Cartilage Transplantation
- Meniscal Surgery
- PCL Reconstruction
- LCL Reconstruction
- MCL Reconstruction
- Meniscus Replacement
- Knee Cartilage Restoration
- Knee Ligament Reconstruction
- Meniscal Transplantation
- Meniscus Root Repair
- Quadriceps Tendon Repair
- Knee Osteotomy
- Meniscectomy
- Mosaicplasty
- Revision Knee Ligament Reconstruction
- Posterolateral Corner (PLC) Reconstruction
- Compartment Decompression
- Lysis of Adhesions with Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA)
- Partial Arthroscopic Meniscectomy
- Patellofemoral Stabilization
- Combined Hyaluronic Therapy for the Knee
- Primary ACL Repair
- Quadriceps Tendon Autograft for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
- Cartilage Restoration of the Patellofemoral Joint
- Patellofemoral Realignment
- Tibial Tubercle Transfer
- Matrix Induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (MACI)
- Arthroscopic Debridement
- LPFL Reconstruction
- Failed Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction
- Posterolateral Corner Reconstruction
- Prior Meniscectomy
- Chondroplasty
- Physeal Sparing Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament
- Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone (BPTB) Allograft
- Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone (BPTB) Autograft
- Proximal Tibial Osteotomy
- Hamstring Autograft
- Hamstring Allograft
- High Tibial Osteotomy
- Multiligament Reconstruction of the Knee
- Patellar Tendon Repair
- Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction
- Distal Realignment Procedures
- Arthroscopic Reconstruction of the Knee for Ligament Injuries
- Cartilage Replacement
- Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation
- Subchondroplasty
- Partial Meniscectomy
- Cartilage Microfracture
- Knee Trauma Reconstruction
- Physeal Sparing Surgery (Anderson's Technique)
- Physeal Sparing Surgery (Micheli-KocherTechnique)
- Pharmacological Interventions for Knee Injuries
- Viscosupplementation
- Physical Therapy for Knee
- Intraarticular Knee Injection
- Non-Surgical Knee Treatments
- Physical Examination of the Knee
- Pre-op and Post-op Knee Guidelines
- Am I a Candidate for Knee Surgery?