Single-Stage Combined Autologous-Allogenic Cartilage Restoration: Surgical Technique

Abstract

Articular cartilage injuries in young patients pose a notable treatment dilemma. Multiple reported techniques exist, although some of the most prominent methods currently rely on multiple procedures for chondrocyte harvest and colony expansion prior to implantation. The associated cost and effort this requires limits availability on a global basis, which creates a need for a more widely available cartilage procedure. This Technical Note describes a method for cartilage restoration that incorporates autologous chondrocytes in allogenic extracellular matrix, along with biologic augmentation all performed in a single stage.