Abstract
Purpose This study was aimed to determine the impact of bioregenerative operations in case
of degenerative cartilage lesions within the media knee compartment.
Material and Methods The CartilageRegistry DGOU was founded in 2013. At the deadline August 2016 a total
of 1847 patients were included. A total of 23.3% (n = 432) was suffering from a degenerative
cartilage lesion in the medial compartment. Follow-up was performed after 6, 12, and
24 months (online evaluation). The patients were asked for their subject feeling as
well as the KOOS (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) was determined.
Results Most of the patients (n = 358) suffered from a single femoral lesion. In 25 cases
single tibial and in 49 cases combined defects (“kissing lesions”) were addressed
by different treatment options: 39.9% autologous chondrocyte transplantation, in 8.1%
in combination with a spongiosa plasty. Other treatments were drilling, microfracturing
with or without matrix. In 17.9% the surgeons had chosen combined methods. The bioregenerative
treatment was combined with a concomitant operation in 39.7% in patients with medial,
in 56.0% in patients with a tibial, and in 67.9% in patients with combined defects.
The mostly performed additional operations were osteotomies. There were no gender
differences at baseline or during follow-up. The history of patients with femoral
defects was shorter than in the other groups. The patients with medial defects judged
the subjective outcome significant more frequently better after 6, 12, or 24 months
compared with the other groups. The KOOS raised from baseline (median 52 points) to
a median of 75 after 6, to 78 points after 12, and to 80 points after 24 months. Patients
with femoral defects had a better KOOS-outcome in tendency. Revision operations were
required in 7.1%.
Conclusions The treatment of degenerative cartilage lesions (respective early OA) by bioregenerative
procedures are well-established measures. These treatments are sufficient to produce
high patientsʼ satisfaction and acceptable short/midterm results.
Key words knee - cartilage - degeneration - early-OA - CartilageRegistry
