Cartilage Injury

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of MACI compared to arthroscopic microfracture surgery in treating young participants aged 10 to 17 years who have symptomatic cartilage or bone-related defects in the knee. This Phase 3 clinical trial involves 45 participants who are randomly assigned to receive one of these two treatments. The study explores which approach might better improve knee pain and function over time. Participants undergo an initial screening visit including an arthroscopy to confirm eligibility. During this procedure, cartilage lesion size is measured, and a biopsy is taken for cell processing. Those assigned to MACI will receive a one-time implantation of cultured cartilage cells on a collagen membrane within 12 weeks following screening. Those assigned to microfracture undergo the procedure during the initial arthroscopy. Participants follow a recommended rehabilitation plan after treatment. Participant involvement spans two years after treatment, during which researchers monitor recovery and knee function. Assessments include measuring improvements in pain and sports-related activities using the KOOS-Child questionnaire at baseline and at 52 and 104 weeks. Compliance with rehabilitation and long-term safety are also tracked, ensuring thorough evaluation of treatment outcomes.

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of MACI, which uses autologous cultured chondrocytes on a porcine collagen membrane, compared with Bone Marrow Stimulation BMS in treating adults aged 17 to 65 with painful cartilage or bone defects in the ankle. This Phase 3, open-label, randomized trial aims to show whether MACI is superior to BMS for symptomatic chondral or osteochondral lesions of the talus. Participants will be randomized 21 to receive either a single treatment of MACI or BMS. Initially, all participants will have an ankle arthroscopy to confirm eligibility and measure cartilage lesions. Those assigned to BMS will undergo the procedure during this arthroscopy. Those assigned to MACI will have a cartilage biopsy taken for cell culture, followed by a separate MACI implantation surgery within 5 to 12 weeks. Both groups will follow a recommended rehabilitation program after their procedures. Participants will be monitored for safety and effectiveness at multiple visits up to two years after treatment, including assessments at Weeks 6, 12, 24, 36, 52, 78, and 104. Measures include pain and function scores using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score FAOS subscales, with rehabilitation status tracked through Week 52. Safety evaluations will continue throughout the study to assess the outcomes of both treatments.

Researchers are evaluating post-operative management approaches after a modified Lapidus arthrodesis surgery for hallux valgus, with or without additional surgeries such as Akin or WeilHohmann procedures. The study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of immediate full weight-bearing versus partial weight-bearing 10-15 kg during rehabilitation. This randomized controlled trial explores a new rehabilitation method following foot surgery to improve recovery. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups after surgery one group will follow partial weight-bearing with a specialized VACOPASO shoe and use crutches along with antithrombotic medication for 6 weeks, while the other group will have immediate complete weight-bearing with the same shoe and medication for the same period. The surgical operation follows standard clinical practices for hallux valgus correction. During the study, healing progress will be monitored through standard X-rays at 6, 12, and 24 weeks to check bone healing, hardware fixation, and fracture alignment. Pain will be measured using a Visual Analogue Scale at the day of surgery and at follow-up visits. Quality of life and functional recovery will be assessed through established foot and ankle scoring systems at multiple time points. The main outcome is the subjective functional recovery measured by the Olerud and Molander Ankle Score at 6 weeks post-surgery.

This research aims to compare absorbable sutures with non-absorbable sutures used for repairing the hip capsule during arthroscopic hip surgery. The study focuses on patients undergoing surgical hip arthroscopy for conditions such as labrum injury of the hip joint and femoroacetabular impingement syndrome. Researchers will evaluate outcomes related to hip function and quality of life using several questionnaires designed specifically for hip health. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either absorbable or non-absorbable sutures during their hip arthroscopic surgery. The study will monitor and compare results over time using both specialized hip outcome toolsInternational Hip Outcome Tool-12, modified Harris hip score, and hip outcome scoreand a set of nine standard questionnaires related to physical function, pain, health, activity, and surgical satisfaction. Radiographic images taken as part of routine care will also be reviewed to assess for any heterotopic ossification six months after surgery. Participants will complete questionnaires before surgery and at multiple follow-up visits scheduled at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and any additional visits. Standard post-operative X-rays will be used to check for bone growth outside the normal skeleton at 6 months. The study tracks participants for at least one year after surgery to measure changes in hip function and quality of life. The entire study is expected to continue until 2028.

This research aims to compare two surgical treatments for people aged 18 to 55 years undergoing primary hip arthroscopy due to a focal cartilage defect in the acetabulum. It is a pilot randomized controlled trial assessing the effects of autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis AMIC versus microfracture on hip function, quality of life, pain, cartilage repair, and health utility over two years. The study follows participants for 24 months with scheduled check-ins at 6 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months after surgery. During surgery, all participants will have unstable cartilage removed and microfracture performed by making small holes in the bone to encourage healing. Those in the AMIC group will also receive a collagen matrix implant placed over the cartilage defect to support tissue repair. This matrix is secured precisely and checked arthroscopically to ensure proper placement. Both treatments are done during the same surgical procedure. Participants will attend follow-up visits at set intervals over two years to assess their hip function using the International Hip Outcome Tool iHOT-33 and other measures such as pain, cartilage repair via MRI scoring, health status, and any adverse events. Researchers will monitor changes from before surgery to 24 months afterward to evaluate the treatments effects. The trial is led by McMaster University and includes detailed assessments to understand outcomes and safety.

Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative condition affecting the knee joint, impacting about 7% of the global population and approximately 3.9 million people in Italy. It causes pain and decreased function, limiting knee movement and affecting both older and younger individuals due to trauma. Current treatments mainly address symptoms, so this study aims to improve diagnostic and prognostic methods to better understand the diseases onset and progression. The study evaluates the use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI and gait analysis to assess the knee joints pathophysiological and functional state. MRI provides detailed images of joint morphology, structure, and tissue composition, while gait analysis measures joint function and forces during movement using sensors and musculoskeletal models based on MRI data. These diagnostic tests are used at the start of the study and again after 12 months. Participants will undergo MRI scans, gait analysis including electromyography, strength measurements with a dynamometer, bioimpedance analysis, and clinical questionnaires at baseline and after 12 months. Researchers will monitor changes in joint condition and function over time to gain insights into osteoarthritis progression. The study runs from July 2025 to April 2027, with assessments spaced across this period to track disease impact.

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness and safety of autologous costal osteochondral transplantation compared with autologous osteoperiosteal transplantation in treating Hepple Stage V talar osteochondral lesions. The main goal is to determine if the costal osteochondral transplantation can provide better clinical outcomes and improved cartilage repair with fewer donor site complications than the osteoperiosteal transplantation. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of these two surgical treatments. The study involves two treatment groups one receiving the autologous costal osteochondral transplantation, which includes harvesting an osteochondral column from the rib and implanting it into the talar defect, and the other receiving autologous iliac osteoperiosteal transplantation, which involves obtaining a cylindrical osteoperiosteal column from the iliac crest for implantation. Both surgeries include removing the talar lesion, filling the cavity with cancellous bone, and ensuring the transplant surface aligns with the surrounding cartilage. After surgery, all participants will follow the same rehabilitation and follow-up plan. Participants will be monitored over time with various assessments including the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale at multiple intervals up to 24 months after surgery. Additional measures include pain ratings during walking, cartilage repair evaluations by MRI, functional scores, bone healing, patient satisfaction, and monitoring for any complications. The study aims to collect detailed data on clinical outcomes and safety over two years following the surgical treatment.

Researchers are conducting a multicenter prospective cohort study to evaluate the clinical results and safety of autologous osteoperiosteal transplantation in patients with severe osteochondral lesions of the talus OLT. The study aims to determine whether this procedure provides good clinical outcomes and fewer postoperative complications when treating severe OLT. This study is sponsored by Peking University Third Hospital. Participants will undergo autologous osteoperiosteal transplantation, where a bone graft is taken from the iliac crest and transplanted to repair the lesion in the talus. The surgical procedure involves drilling and debriding the cystic lesion before grafting bone tissue. The study includes clinical follow-up visits at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery, with imaging examinations such as CT and MRI performed before surgery and at 12 and 24 months post-operation. During the study, participants will complete ankle function assessments including the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score FAOS at multiple time points up to 24 months after surgery. Additional measures include the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Score, Visual Analogue Scale for pain, Ankle Activity Score, and cartilage repair imaging assessments. Complications will be monitored up to 48 months after surgery to evaluate safety and donor-site morbidity. Participants will be closely followed to assess recovery and clinical outcomes over this period.

Researchers are evaluating the BioPoly4 Partial Resurfacing Knee Implant as a treatment option for adults aged 30 to 65 years who have cartilage defects in the distal femur causing knee pain and symptoms. The study compares the safety and effectiveness of the BioPoly device to standard surgical treatments, which include microfracture or debridement. The trial aims to assess whether the implant improves clinical outcomes, specifically focusing on a combination of no additional knee surgeries and meaningful improvement in knee function scores over 24 months. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either the BioPoly implant or one of the standard surgical procedures microfracture or debridement based on a treatment algorithm considering age, osteoarthritis severity, and lesion size. The BioPoly device replaces damaged cartilage in the femoral condyles or trochlear facets and is intended for focal lesions with healthy surrounding cartilage. The study includes a two-year follow-up period to monitor the results and safety of each treatment. During the study, participants will undergo assessments including the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score KOOS, radiographs to check implant stability, and evaluation for any adverse events or additional surgeries. Researchers will collect data at regular intervals up to 24 months to measure pain reduction, function, and implant survival. Participants are expected to comply with post-operative rehabilitation and follow-up visits throughout the study duration.

Researchers are evaluating the use of blood flow restriction BFR therapy to improve muscle strength and size after primary hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome FAIS andor labral pathology. This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial aims to measure the effects of BFR on quadriceps muscle hypertrophy and strength during rehabilitation. The study includes adult patients aged 18 to 40 who are undergoing their first hip arthroscopy and will follow them for up to one year after surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The experimental group will receive BFR postoperative rehabilitation, which involves performing specific exercises with BFR cuffs placed on the thigh to restrict blood flow during exercise sessions lasting up to 20 minutes. The control group will perform the same exercises but with sham BFR, where non-occlusive pressure is applied. Both groups follow the same exercise schedule and repetitions, with progression based on pain and exertion levels. Throughout the study, participants will be assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Assessments include quadriceps strength testing with dynamometers and Biodex machines, standardized thigh circumference measurements, and a hip MRI at 6 months to evaluate muscle size and appearance. Patient-reported outcomes such as hip function scores, pain scales, and return to sportwork questionnaires will also be collected. Researchers will monitor rates of reinjury and overall recovery progress during these visits.