Long-Term Durability of Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation A Multicenter, Observational Study in US Patients

BackgroundAutologous chondrocyte implantation for full-thickness lesions of the distal femur has demonstrated good short- to midterm clinical improvement. However, long-term durability (>5 years) of autologous chondrocyte implantation has not been evaluated in US patients to date.HypothesisPatients who improve from baseline to early follow-up will sustain improvement at later follow-up.Study DesignCase series, Level of evidence, 4.MethodsCartilage Repair Registry patients with full-thickness distal femur lesions who were treated with autologous chondrocyte implantation before December 31, 1996 and had modified overall Cincinnati scores at baseline and 1- to 5-year follow-up scores were re-evaluated at 6- to 10-year follow-up. Autologous chondrocyte implantation durability was determined by comparing early (1-5 years) to long-term (6-10 years) outcomes. Adverse events and treatment failures were recorded.ResultsSeventy-two patients met eligibility criteria (at baseline: mean age, 37 years; mean lesion size...