Cartilage Repair Procedures

Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI)

There are two parts of the ACI procedure. The first surgical procedure consists of an arthroscopic evaluation of the joint and biopsy of cartilage. This biopsy is then sent to a lab to be cultured and grown to a large volume of cells. The second surgical procedure is an open procedure during which the cultured cells are re-implanted into the damaged areas of the joint.

Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation

This procedure involves transplanting bone and attached cartilage from an organ donor to repair damaged cartilage.

Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation

This procedure involves transplanting bone and attached cartilage from an organ donor to repair damaged cartilage. Osteochondral Allograft Autologous Osteochondral Transfer (OATS or Mosaicplasty): Small cylinders of bone and attached cartilage are harvested from a peripheral part of the patient’s knee and then implanted into the damaged portion of the knee.