Abstract
IntroductionMatrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation is a well-known procedure for the treatment of cartilage defects, which aims to establish a regenerative milieu and restore hyaline cartilage. However, much less is known about third-generation autologous chondrocyte implantation application in high-level athletes. We report on the two-year follow-up outcome after matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation to treat a large cartilage lesion of the lateral femoral condyle in a male Caucasian professional football player.Case presentationA 27-year-old male Caucasian professional football player was previously treated for cartilage problems of his left knee with two failed microfracture procedures resulting in a 9 cm2 Outerbridge Grade 4 chondral lesion at his lateral femoral condyle. Preoperative Tegner-Lysholm and Brittberg-Peterson scores were 64 and 58, and by the second year they were 91 and 6. An evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated filling of the defect with the signal intensity of the repair tissue resembling healthy cartilage. Second-look arthroscopy revealed robust, smooth cartilage covering his lateral femoral condyle. He returned to his former competitive level without restrictions or complaints one year after the procedure.ConclusionsThis case illustrates that robust cartilage tissue can be obtained with a matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation procedure even after two failed microfracture procedures in a large (9 cm2) cartilage defect. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report on the application of the third-generation cell therapy treatment technique, matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation, in a professional football player.
Highlights
Matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation is a well-known procedure for the treatment of cartilage defects, which aims to establish a regenerative milieu and restore hyaline cartilage
This case illustrates that robust cartilage tissue can be obtained with a matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation procedure even after two failed microfracture procedures in a large (9 cm2) cartilage defect
We report on the two-year follow-up outcome after matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI; Genzyme, Copenhagen, Denmark) in the case of a large cartilage lesion of the lateral femoral condyle in a professional football player previously treated with two failed microfracture procedures
Summary
MACI can be a very good treatment option for professional athletes with massive cartilage lesions of the knee, even after failed marrow-stimulating techniques. Clinical outcome and second-look arthroscopy at twoyear follow-up were very encouraging, and our patient is still playing football in a professional league. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report on the application of the third-generation cell therapy treatment technique, MACI, in a professional football player, and further long-term follow-up studies with large series of patients are necessary to fully assess the true potential of this procedure. Author details 1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Yeditepe University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. All authors read and approved the final manuscript
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