AMIC Cartilage Repair in a Professional Soccer Player

Abstract

We report a case of a professional soccer player suffering from a traumatic cartilage lesion grade IV according to the Outerbridge classification at the femoral condyle treated with an enhanced microfracture technique (AMIC). Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis (AMIC) is an innovative treatment for localized full-thickness cartilage defects combining the well-known microfracturing with collagen scaffold and fibrin glue. Because of the cartilage lesion (3 cm2), an AMIC procedure was performed followed by a rehabilitation program according to the protocols in the literature, (Steadman et al.; 2003). After 8 months of rehabilitation, the player returned to team training and after 10 months to competition. Altogether he returned to the same skill level for almost one year after the index operation. He is very satisfied with the clinical results after AMIC, which corresponds with the Lysholm score of 90 points at 12 months.

Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence

“…The range of Lysholm score improved from 9-79 preoperatively to 27-100 within the first 2 years, declined to 25-69 between 2 and 5 years, and increased to 53-92 beyond 5 years. 4,14,25,32,47,48 The range of the MOCART score was 40-76 at the first postoperative year and 31-77 at the second postoperative year. 15,16,46 No long-term data regarding the KOOS and MOCART scores beyond the second postoperative year were available.…”

Cartilage issues in football—today's problems and tomorrow's solutions

“… 65 One report showed successful return to professional football 10 months after AMIC. 66 Similarly, in situ solidification of the microfracture clot with the thrombogenic and adhesive polysaccharide polymer chitosan-glycerol phosphate (BST-Cargel, Piramal Healthcare, Laval, Canada) improved cartilage repair tissue volume and biochemical composition compared with microfracture and with better functional knee scores after 24 months. 67 Augmentation using a combination of micronised allograft chondrons and autologous growth factors to create a BioCartilage cartilage (Arthrex, Naples, Florida, USA) has also been applied successfully in the clinical setting; however, results in athletes are still pending.…”

Matrix-Associated Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation

“…2 The treatment should aim at alleviating pain and restoring functionality in the first place eventually leading to the formation of an entirely new articulating surface that essentially duplicates the original articular cartilage in its structure, composition, and function. 3 In addition, cartilage repair should delay the need for total knee arthroplasty. 4 Since the clinical introduction of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) by Brittberg et al, 5 a variety of clinical studies have documented the clinical effectiveness of implanting autologous culture expanded chondrocytes for the regeneration of cartilage.…”