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An accelerated 6-week return to full weight bearing after matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation results in good clinical outcomes to 5 years post-surgery

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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the mid-term outcomes of an accelerated return to full weight bearing (WB) after matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI).

Methods

This randomized study allocated 35 patients (37 knees) to a 6 week (n = 18) or 8 week (n = 19) return to full WB after MACI. Patients were evaluated pre-operatively and at 1, 2 and minimum 5 years (range 5.5–7 years), using the KOOS, SF-36, visual analogue pain scale, 6-min walk test and active knee range of motion (ROM). Peak isokinetic knee extensor and flexor strength was assessed, with limb symmetry indices (LSIs) calculated. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was undertaken to evaluate the repair tissue, and an MRI composite score was calculated.

Results

While no group differences (n.s.) were observed, significant improvement was observed for all patient-reported outcome measures (p < 0.05), 6-min walk distance (p = 0.040), active knee flexion (p = 0.002) and extension (p < 0.0001) ROM, and the LSI for peak knee extensor strength (p < 0.0001). At final review, 87.5% (6 weeks) and 82.4% (8 weeks) of patients were satisfied overall. A non-significant decline (n.s.) was observed for the MRI composite score from 1-year post-surgery to final review, with no significant MRI-based differences (n.s.) between groups. At final review, two grafts (6-week n = 1, 8-week n = 1) demonstrated MRI-based graft failure, while an additional patient had progressed toward knee arthroplasty (8.1% failure rate at minimum 5 years).

Conclusions

The 6-week return to full WB after MACI provided comparable clinical and MRI-based outcomes beyond 5 years post-surgery, without jeopardizing the graft. This 6-week WB protocol is faster than those previously proposed and studied.

Level of Evidence

II.

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Funding

This research received some funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (ID254622 and ID1003452) and the Hollywood Private Hospital Research Foundation (RF031 and RF050).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Science), The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia

    Jay R. Ebert

  2. HFRC Rehabilitation Clinic, 117 Stirling Highway, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia

    Jay R. Ebert

  3. Perth Radiological Clinic, Subiaco, Perth, WA, 6008, Australia

    Michael Fallon

  4. School of Surgery (Orthopaedics), University of Western Australia, Crawley, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia

    David J. Wood

  5. Perth Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Centre, West Perth, WA, 6005, Australia

    Gregory C. Janes

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  1. Jay R. Ebert
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  2. Michael Fallon
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  3. David J. Wood
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  4. Gregory C. Janes
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Correspondence to Jay R. Ebert.

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This research was approved by the Hollywood Private Hospital (HPH145) Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC).

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Ebert, J.R., Fallon, M., Wood, D.J. et al. An accelerated 6-week return to full weight bearing after matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation results in good clinical outcomes to 5 years post-surgery. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 29, 3825–3833 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-020-06422-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-020-06422-6

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