Dry Arthroscopic Single-Stage Cartilage Repair of the Knee Using a Hyaluronic Acid-Based Scaffold With Activated Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Cartilage lesions of the knee are a frequent finding; however, treatment options that are capable of restoring hyaline-like tissue are not routinely used. Cell-based technology such as autologous chondrocyte implantation may in some cases provide durable cartilage repair, but availability of this procedure is often restricted due to cost constraints. There have been promising outcomes reported with the use of scaffolds seeded with activated bone marrow aspirate concentrate in cases of chondral injury. There are clear advantages to cell-based cartilage repair techniques that are performed as a single-stage procedure, particularly when the repair technology can be used in a minimally invasive manner. We present an arthroscopic technique of cartilage repair using a hyaluronic acid-based scaffold associated with activated bone marrow aspirate concentrate. This technique is a cost-effective, minimally invasive, single-stage procedure that has the potential for routine use in a wide range of cartilage lesion types and locations.