Osteochondral Defect

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical results and MRI imaging of autologous cartilage reconstructions or collagen matrix of the knee. There is currently little data in the literature on clinical outcomes and imaging of this type of lesion.

Various techniques for the fixation of unstable osteochondral fragments have been used over the years, each with associated advantages and disadvantages, and differing clinical outcomes. However, the literature on the treatment of this type of injury in the adolescent and young adult population is scarce and involves small case series. Failure to treat these injuries can lead to serious consequences such as chronic pain, residual joint stiffness, and the development of early osteoarthritis, necessitating more invasive and burdensome interventions for the national health system, such as prosthetic replacements or osteotomies. Due to the lack of real consensus within the scientific community regarding the ideal treatment for these patients and the insufficient medium/long-term follow-up data on the effects of these injuries on articular cartilage in young patients, this study aims to evaluate the clinical and radiological conditions of patients undergoing osteochondral fragment fixation using the same surgical technique (fixation with resorbable screws performed arthroscopically or via open surgery depending on the lesion's location) in order to clarify preventive measures against cartilage degeneration following these injuries, which are very common in adolescence.

The primary objective of this study is to obtain evidence of the effectiveness of Cryopreserved Osteochondral Allograft Core in the treatment of osteochondral lesions on the femoral condyle.

EB-OC is a tissue engineered osteochondral tissue graft comprising of a living tissue engineered cartilage layer attaching to a bone scaffold. The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about in the safety and efficacy of the EB-OC graft in participants who require repair of chondral/osteochondral defects of the knee. The main question it aims to answer is if the EB-OC graft works to regenerate osteochondral tissue comprising of native hyaline cartilage anchors to the regenerated bone. Participants will receive treatment of either the EB-OC Graft implantation in an arthrotomy procedure or abrasion chondroplasty. Researchers will compare results from the EB-OC graft to abrasion chondroplasty to assess overall safety and effectiveness.

Rationale: In view of patient care, patient characteristics and treatment parameters are registered for all patients visiting the Mobility Clinic of the University Medical Center Utrecht for orthopaedic knee treatment. Patients also fill out questionnaires for function, pain and mobility of the knee, before and after treatment. Objective: The main objective of this registry is to collect patient characteristics and treatment parameters together with data from the questionnaires in a database. This knee registry can be used for future research questions. Study design: This is a longitudinal observational registry. Study population: All patients that visit the Mobility Clinic will be asked to participate in the knee registry. Patients that meet one or more of the following criteria will be excluded: are below the age of 16, not able or willing to sign the broad consent form, not being able to read and understand Dutch language, or receiving medical treatment for their knee elsewhere. Main study parameters/endpoints: Data will be collected for future research for which the purpose is not known at this time. When new research will be conducted, study parameters will be set. A study application has to be submitted to the institutional ethical review board of the University Medical Center Utrecht. Patients do not need to be asked permission for the use of their data for each study individually. Only when additional information is needed. Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: The burden for patients to participate in this registry is minimal and consists of time. Any future results may be beneficial for patients. Participation or refusal to participate in the registry has no consequences for their treatment.

The main objective of this study is to assess the clinical and radiological results after carrying out a transplant of fresh osteochondral allograft in the knee.