Table 3 The radiological results of all treatment groups
Treatment method | Time-point | Bone defect repair (CT) | Repair tissue surface (MRI) | Subchondral tissue – MRI and CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Empty chondral defect, (Fig. 4a) | 3 months | NA | Persistent full-diameter chondral defect | Slight subchondral signal changes |
6 months | NA | Small persistent chondral defect, with surface fissuring | Slight subchondral signal changes | |
Autologous cartilage chips, (Fig. 4c) | 3 months | NA | Intact surface, slightly irregular, with slight signal changes. | No subchondral signal changes |
6 months | NA | Intact surface, with slight signal changes. | No subchondral signal changes | |
MFx, (Fig. 4b) | 3 months | NA | Slight surface depression, and surface fissuring. Repair tissue non-cartilaginous, non-bony | Signal changes around the MFx holes, and signs of subchondral cyst formation |
6 months | NA | Slight surface depression. No surface fissuring. Repair tissue non-cartilaginous, non-bony | Marked subchondral signal changes. No subchondral cyst formation | |
MACI, (Fig. 4d) | 3 months | NA | Slight surface depression, but smooth surface covered with non-cartilaginous, non-bony tissue | Subchondral signal changes |
6 months | NA | Slight surface depression, but smooth surface covered with non-cartilaginous, non-bony tissue | No subchondral signal changes | |
Empty Osteochondral defect, (Fig. 5a, d) | 3 months | 50 % | Persistent defect | Persistent bone defect. The surrounding bone were less dense than native subcortical bone |
6 months | 67 % | Marked surface depression with non-cartilaginous, non-bony tissue | Persistent bone defect. Sclerotic edge, and subchondral bone cyst formation | |
Autologous bone graft, (Fig. 5b, e) | 3 months | 63 % | Slight surface depression. Repair tissue non-cartilaginous, non-bony | Persistent bone defect, with fibrous repair tissue. No cyst formation or edema |
6 months | 76 % | Slight surface depression. Repair tissue non-cartilaginous, non-bony | Persistent bone defect with fibrous repair tissue. No cyst formation or edema | |
ADTT, (Fig. 5c, f) | 3 months | 83 % | Slight surface depression. Defect partially covered by cartilage-like tissue | Superficial fibrous tissue, with profound bone repair. Small persistent bone defect |
6 months | 92 % | Slight surface depression. Defect almost completely covered with cartilage-like tissue | Almost complete bone repair |