Articular cartilage is hyaline cartilage, which plays a vital role in the function of joints. With the popularization of national fitness sports and the progress of population aging, the incidence of cartilage injury due to various reasons is increasing year by year, which seriously affects people’s work and life. The treatment of cartilage injuries has been a challenge in the field of arthroscopic surgery and sports medicine.
Tissue Engineered Cartilage (TEC) is a technique to repair osteoarticular cartilage defects (Outerbridge Grade III/IV) by isolating and expanding chondrocytes from autologous non-weight-bearing cartilage tissue, compounding them with a scaffold, and then transplanting them to partially or completely restore It can partially or completely restore the structural properties and mechanical functions of the damaged osteoarticular cartilage.
What are the indications for the TEC technique? What are its contraindications?
I will give you a brief introduction below.
TEC technology indications.
1, acute, abrasive, traumatic articular cartilage defects
2, exfoliative osteochondritis caused by articular cartilage defects
3, previous arthroscopic surgery treatment, no significant improvement in symptoms or recurrence
4.Defect area 2-12cm2
5, mature epiphysis development, age ≤ 50 years
6. The defect site has intact and healthy surrounding cartilage
7. No damage to the meniscus or repairable by surgery (meniscus removal not more than 1/3)
8, no ligament damage or can be reconstructed through surgery
9.Lower limb force line is normal or can be corrected through surgery (inversion or valgus <5°)
10, normal patella trajectory
11.Patients can follow the strict postoperative rehabilitation and follow-up procedures
Contraindications to TEC technology.
1, extensive and severe osteoarthritis
2, rheumatic or rheumatoid arthritis
3, infectious diseases, diabetes, serious bleeding risk, etc.
4.Defect area >12cm2
5, severe force line abnormalities in the lower extremities, such as X-leg or O-leg
6, obese people or body mass index >35
7, joint fibrosis or joint ankylosis