Hip international : the journal of clinical and experimental research on hip pathology and therapy
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Clinical Trial
Feasibility of arthroscopic autologous chondrocyte implantation in the hip using an injectable hydrogel.
In the long term the treatment of articular cartilage defects of the hip has the most direct impact on the postoperative outcome and should diminish degenerative changes caused by different pathologies. The purpose of this prospective feasibility study is to describe technical aspects of arthroscopic, injectable autologous chondrocyte implantation in the hip and to report the short-term outcome. ⋯ In this study we present the feasibility and short-term data of an arthroscopic injectable autologous chondrocyte transplant as a treatment option for full-thickness cartilage defects of the hip. All patient-administered assessment scores demonstrated an increase in activity level, improvement in quality of life and reduction of pain after a 12-month follow-up. Further randomised controlled trails with long-term follow-up and additional morphological assessment are needed.