Acellular Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis Technique Improves the Results of Chondral Lesions Associated with Femoroacetabular Impingement.

Purpose The study’s main objective was to evaluate, in the short-term, the result of the autologous acellular matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) technique in a selected group of patients with 2-4 cm2 full-thickness chondral lesions, undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Methods A retrospective single-center Level IV case series of 25 patients (28 hips) who underwent an arthroscopic hip surgery with a liquid acellular collagen matrix. Inclusion criteria for implantation were FAI diagnosis (cam or pincer type), grade IV chondral lesions (Outerbridge size 2-4 cm2); Tonnis stage 0-II, minimum follow-up of 24 months, and 1 year (12-15 months) evaluation with very high field 3-T MRI arthrography. Exclusion criteria were Tonnis III, joint space Results 25 patients (28 hips) treated; 19 men and 6 women (mean age: 40.5 years; range: 25-55). Two women underwent joint replacement surgery. Thus, 23 patients (26 hips) were analyzed. At 29 months following surgery (range: 24-48), a significant improvement was obtained in all parameters assessed, focusing on the characteristics of the generated tissue in the MRI (MOCART scores). 95% of the patients met the MCID (improvement >12 points in the modified Harris Hip Score), and 100% scored >74 points, achieving the PASS. Patients’ satisfaction was 86.6% (SD 16.4). All patients who practiced sports resumed them. Conclusions The liquid AMIC is a safe technique that shows good clinical and radiological outcomes in a 2-year follow-up in patients with femoroacetabular impingement and grade IV acetabular 2-4 cm2 chondral defects. Level of Evidence Level IV, retrospective case series.