To investigate the effect of autologous chondrocytes combined with typeⅠcollagen three-dimensional scaffold in the treatment of knee osteochondritis dissecans.

Twelve patients with osteochondritisdissecanswere treated with autologous chondrocytes combined with type I collagen three-dimensional scaffolds in Qingdao Huangdao District Central Hospital in recent five years. The IKDC knee joint score and Lysholm knee joint function score were evaluated before and six months and 12 months after the operation by one-way ANOVA. The cartilage repair was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 12 months after the operation.

The IKDC and Lysholm scores of 12 patients were (83.7±5.6) and (91.7±3.7) at six months, and (87.5±5.2) and (93.6±2.1) at 12 months after operation, which were significantly improved compared with those before operation (53.9±6.7) for IKDC(F=158.877) and (59.1±7.2) for Lysholm(F=104.258), and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). The differences of IKDC score and Lysholm score between each two time points were statistically significant (all P< 0.05). MRI examination at 12 months after operation showed that the grafted cartilage of all cases recovered well, and there was no graft abscission or local edema. During the follow-up period, no knee infection occurred in all patients.

Autologous chondrocytes combined with type Ⅰ collagen three-dimensional scaffold can effectively treat osteochondritisdissecans of knee joint