• Full Name: BORJA RUIZ NIETO
• Affiliation/Institution: CEMTRO Clinic
• Country: Spain

Background: Articular cartilage lesions of the knee are difficult to manage due to their limited healing capacity. High-Density Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (HD-ACI) has emerged as a promising treatment for symptom relief and functional recovery.

Methods: This retrospective study included 124 patients (88 men, 36 women; median age 35.5 years) with symptomatic chondral lesions of the knee treated with HD-ACI between 1996 and 2010. Patients were followed for up to 8 years. Clinical assessments included the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores for knee function, and MOCART scores based on MRI evaluations of cartilage repair tissue.

Results: Pain significantly decreased from a baseline mean VAS of 6.7 to 1.1 at 8 years (p<0.001). IKDC scores improved from a mean of 39.4 to 81.6 (p<0.001), exceeding the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). MOCART scores progressively increased over time. Knee mobility in both extension and flexion showed statistically significant improvement. Adverse events were mild and infrequent.

Conclusions: HD-ACI is a safe and effective treatment for knee cartilage lesions, with long-term improvements in pain, joint function, confirmed clinically and radiologically.