Cartilage Transplantation

This is an intra-operative video on cartilage transplant. This is the final stage of a 2-step procedure. In this stage, cells which are cultured in a laboratory are implanted into the defect

The first part of the video shows the exposure of the knee joint. This is done carefully to minimise damage to the surrounding tissues. The defect is exposed and scar tissue covering the floor of the defect is cleaned.

The second part shows the harvesting of the periosteum to cover the defect. The periosteum is the normal covering of bones and we use it to provide a roof over the defect.

The third part is the implantation of the cells into the defect. The cells come in a suspension and this is injected into the defect after calculating the volume of the defect. An alternative technique uses a collagen patch with the cells impregnated on it to resurface the defect and obliterate the need for the periosteal patch.

This technique is useful to treat cartilage defects, which if left untreated can lead to early osteoarthritis. It is suitable for young active adults with cartilage injuries who are not suitable for knee replacement.