Skip to main content
Article
First successful autologous chondrocyte implantation in Pakistan
Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan
  • Tashfeen Ahmad, Aga Khan University
  • Masood Umer, Aga Khan University
  • Loay Lubbad, Aga Khan University
  • Riaz Hussain Lakdawala, Aga Khan University
  • Anwar Ali Siddiqui, Aga Khan University
Publication Date
1-1-2008
Document Type
Report
Disciplines
Abstract

Osteochondritis dissecans entails a hyaline cartilage defect of the articular surface causing pain and functional restriction in young adults, sometimes resulting in early degenerative arthritis. Conventional treatment methods such as abrasion chondroplasty and mosaicplasty have limitations in terms of quality of the resultant cartilage and donor site morbidity. A more recent technique, autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) results in hyaline cartilage formation and gives good long-term outcome, but requires a high-level cell culture facility and two surgical procedures. The patient was a young female with knee pain, intermittent locking and feeling of "joint mouse". MRI scan and arthroscopy showed a 2 x 2 cm full thickness osteochondral defect in the medial femoral condyle. A free fragment of articular cartilage was found, which was extracted arthroscopically, and chondrocytes were cultured from it in the Juma laboratory. Subsequently, patient underwent surgery whereby the chondrocytes were injected under a periosteal patch sewn over the defect. Over six months, patient's symptoms completely resolved and she returned to full function. A repeat arthroscopy after one year revealed complete filling of the previous defect with normal appearing cartilage indicating success of the procedure. This technology can be utilized for treating patients with a variety of conditions affecting hyaline cartilage of joints.

Citation Information
Tashfeen Ahmad, Masood Umer, Loay Lubbad, Riaz Hussain Lakdawala, et al.. "First successful autologous chondrocyte implantation in Pakistan" Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan Vol. 18 Iss. 3 (2008) p. 185 - 187
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/tashfeen_ahmad/1/