Does the Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis (AMIC®) technique result in positive outcomes for the repair of cartilage lesions in the knee in adolescent patients? Preliminary results at 2,6 years average follow-up.

Chondral and osteochondral lesions of the knee in skeletally immature patients, can result in serious long-term sequelae, such as early knee arthrosis. While there is an abundance of studies concerning chondral repair techniques, there have been relatively few studies that have examined outcomes following cartilage repair in skeletally immature patients. Therefore, we planned to answer the following question: does the AMIC® technique result in positive outcomes for the repair of cartilage lesions in the knee in adolescent patients ? Our hypothesis was that the AMIC® technique improves outcomes for skeletally immature patients with an ICRS stage III or IV osteochondral lesion two year after the surgery. This was an European retrospective, multicenter study, including 27 patients aged from 12 to 19 years. We included adolescents with open epiphysis on x-ray, with an ICRS stage III or IV symptomatic lesion of the knee. The average defect size was 2.3 cm2. All patients had been treated with the surgical technique AMIC®. Post-operative outcomes were assessed by the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Results showed a significant improvement at a mean follow-up of 2.6 years (min 2; max 6 years) across all KOOS domains: 55 vs. 69% (p<0.001) on symptoms, 58 vs. 87% (p<0.001) on pain, 31 vs. 71% (p<0.001) on quality of life, 29 vs. 73% (p<0.001) on sports and leisure activities, and 67 vs. 90% (p<0.001) on activities of daily life. AMIC® technique performed for the repair of stage III or IV ICRS articular cartilage lesions in the knees of adolescent patients, provides clinical improvements 2.6 years after surgery, but results are not perfect with adolescents who may still symptomatic.