So I’ve got degeneration of the cartilage behind my knee cap. I guess it’s pretty common. Anyway I came across this company with a cartilage regeneration product (surgically implanted) and wanted to know what folks here thought of it.
I know that it has been clinically tested in Europe and is starting its roll out overseas. My questions are:
1.) How unique does this tech seem?
2.) Does it hold much promise in your opinion?
3.) Will it help folks like me (runner’s knee, cartilage degeneration behind the knee cap).
I had looked into something similar for medial meniscus repair, there’s a company in Germany that makes a “collagen scaffold” for allowing the cartilage to repair. Not available stateside yet, but I think it IS in testing currently.
In addition, I have found info online about stem cell injections into the knee for cartilage repair. I think it uses the same carrier, the hyaluronic acid. I actually feel a bit better about the alternates with another developmental one in the mix; I expect that this technology will advance quickly in the next 10 years.
Personally, I’ve decided to go “traditional” with a regular partial menisectomy. The remedy you posted and the meniscus scaffold seem promising, but the stem cell one scares me a little bit - even if it does seem to work.
Good luck from a fellow knee sufferer. I hope you get the best treatment you can.
Cartilage implantation procedures have been used stateside for a while now, some with pretty good results. They’re more common in larger articular defects in the weight-bearing portion of the knee and graft types range from autologous to artificial plugs, scaffolds or “minced.” I heard a surgeon talk about the first time he opened one of the minced packets and it looked like fish food pellets that were simply spread around the involved area, but they worked.
Again, results vary but cartilage repairs generally received good to excellent results at mean 3-5yr followups. And some good return to sport results for younger patients. Mean age was mid 30s if I remember.
These procedures and information is for weight-bearing bone in the femur/tib. Patellar could be a whole different story and likely a better prognostic factor if there are no other lesions.
Chondromalacia or degeneration in the articular surface of the patella is very common but I’d be inclined to say an arthroscopy may be a more effective option for many reasons. Not sure just how bad your case is or what the surgeon recommended (if you spoke with one) but seems odd to jump right to an invasive cartilage repair for the patella. Focal lesions usually call for those procedures and if theres a lesion that big on the patella, a resurfacing is likely more indicated, but again assuming all you’re talking about is the kneecap.
“I came across this company…” We’re you directed there by a medical professional or was this a spontaneous find? “Runner’s knee” can be treated conservatively but If the injury is that bad then I’d get some professional opinions.
** We’re you directed there by a medical professional or was this a spontaneous find?**
I’ve seen a doctor for this over the past few years and at one time during an acute phase I received a cortisone shot. Other than that I’ve used techniques to help manage the stress on the knee – stretching, drinking glucosamine/chonroitin, and just not doing leg exercises that aggravate the situation.
I am an elite athlete for my age group (45-49) and would like to train like one. Managing the knee means holding back. Even with holding back, I realize this situation is not going to get better as I get older. About a year ago my doctor told me there wasn’t much they could do that had good long term prognosis. I was just wondering if a product like this might be changing that situation. I will be checking with my doctor as well.
Hi, also very interested in knowing if anyone has undergone the new scaffold type treatments (Maio-regen , Agili C) specifically for patella damage. My OS evaluated my bilateral chondromalacia and did not recommend doing it in my case; due to damage being localised and relatively pain free with unencumbered movement, although no ability for sports running or cycling without flare ups. The technology is pretty new and the cartilage that grows in its place may be too soft to handle sports , however I am looking for real world confirmation.
I also have a partial meniscal lesion with some chondromalacia, not requiring surgery according to my Orthopod. I’ve had hyaluronic acid injections. I don’t think another round would be of any benefit.
No more single leg squats for me, and fewer regular squats than before. So I’ve had to adjust my leg work.
Picking up on an old thread here but how did you progress with this? Did you have surgery? I had similar stem cell surgery 11 months ago. so far all is looking good. I have not ran since but I do plan to