Knee Joint Preservation With Autologous Cartilage Implantation

ABSTRACTDAMAGE TO THE BODY'S JOINT CARTILAGE is becoming a disabling problem for Americans as they live longer and remain active.TRADITIONALLY, ARTICULAR DAMAGE has been treated with arthroscopic debridement and microfracture, abrasion arthroplasty, and osteochondral autograft. Orthopedic surgeons now can offer patients a new option: autologous cartilage implantation (ACI), in which cultured autologous cartilage cells are used to repair and promote growth in cartilage defects.USE OF ACI PRESERVES the articular surfaces of the knee in patients with early onset osteoarthritis, decreases pain, maintains patients' quality of life, and delays possible total joint replacement.