Authors' objectives:

The aim of this review was to evaluate the risks, benefits and economic costs of chondrocyte transplantation for the treatment of hyaline cartilage loss in knee joints. Specific objectives were first, to identify types of knee disease for which chondrocyte transplantation has been applied. Second, to describe the natural history of these conditions. Third to describe alternative treatment options. Fourth, to determine long term outcomes, and finally to analyse the economic efficiency, specifically cost-utility, or gains from this procedure expressed as quality-adjusted life years (QALY).

Authors' recommendations: Knee injuries arising from sporting activity are common. Such injuries can lead to knee hyaline cartilage damage (as opposed to meniscal injuries which are also referred to as cartilage damage by lay-persons). How commonly hyaline cartilage damage occurs is not clear, and the natural history of such injuries is poorly understood. Orthopaedic and trauma surgeons use a variety of techniques to treat these lesions but few treatments, including autologous chondrocyte transplantation, have been tested in controlled studies. This report is based on studies of patient cohorts with hyaline cartilage defects. These studies indicate that, over a period of 2 years, 60-70% of patients have improved symptoms with a variety of treatments. In the absence of controlled trials autologous chondrocyte transplantation should be regarded as an experimental therapy. It is recommended that suitable patients are included in randomised trials co-ordinated at National level. Routine commissioning of this procedure cannot be recommended.

Authors' methods: Systematic review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/college-mds/haps/projects/WMHTAC/REPreports/2000/Autologous_chondrocyte.pdf

Year Published: 2001

URL for published report: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/mds/projects/HaPS/PHEB/WMHTAC/REP/reports-list.aspx

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England

Organisation Name: West Midlands Health Technology Assessment Collaboration

Contact Address: Elaena Donald-Lopez, West Midlands Health Technology Assessment Collaboration, Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT Tel: +44 121 414 7450; Fax: +44 121 414 7878

Contact Name: louise.a.taylor@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: louise.a.taylor@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: University of Birmingham