Matrix-induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (MACI)

What is knee cartilage?

The knee is a complex joint made up of three different bones: the thigh bone (femur), shin bone (tibia), and knee cap (patella)

There are two types of cartilage in the knee:

1. Articular Cartilage – Durable tissue covering the ends of bones providing a smooth, impact-resistant surface to help you during activities, such as walking, kneeling, running, and jumping
2. Meniscus –  Two crescent-shaped wedges acting as a cushion between the thigh and shin bones

What causes knee cartilage damage?

• Chronic or repetitive actions – Exercise, sports, or physical work can cause cartilage to weaken and wear out with time
• Acute or traumatic events – For example, a fall can cause immediate, severe cartilage damage

Unlike other tissues, cartilage does not repair itself. That’s why articular cartilage injuries are chronic and often get worse as time goes on. If conservative treatment has not worked to relieve pain, surgery is often the answer1.

What are knee cartilage repair options?

Several treatment options can help repair an articular cartilage injury in the knee. Your physician will make a recommendation depending on a range of personal factors (age, health, and nature of injury).

One option is MACI, a third generation Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) treatment used for the repair of symptomatic cartilage damage of the adult knee. MACI (autologous cultured chondrocytes on porcine collagen membrane) is made up of your own cells that are expanded and placed onto a film that is implanted into the area of the cartilage damage and absorbed back into your own tissue.

What are the steps to the MACI treatment?

1. Biopsy of healthy cartilage is taken during diagnostic arthroscopy
2. Process biopsy to isolate cartilage cells in FDA licensed cell- processing facility
3. Grow cartilage cells, place on resorbable membrane
4. MACI delivered to your surgeon
5. MACI implanted into knee
6. Rehab

What are the benefits of MACI?

MACI uses your own cells to create a durable repair tissue. Reduces pain and restores joint function as early as 6 months after procedure. Helps you to return to the activities you enjoy

Indications

MACI® (autologous cultured chondrocytes on porcine collagen membrane) is made up of your own (autologous) cells that are expanded and placed onto a film that is implanted into the area of the cartilage damage and absorbed back into your own tissue.

MACI is used for the repair of symptomatic cartilage damage of the adult knee. The amount of MACI applied depends on the size of the cartilage damage. The MACI film is trimmed by your surgeon to match the size and shape of the damage, to ensure the damaged area is completely covered.

Patient stories

Important safety information

MACI should not be used if you:

• are allergic to antibiotics such as gentamicin, or materials that come from cow,pig, or ox;
• have severe osteoarthritis of the knee, other severe inflammatory conditions, infections in the bone joint and other surrounding tissue, or blood clotting conditions;
• have had knee surgery in the past 6 months, not including surgery for obtaining cartilage biopsy or a surgical procedure to prepare your knee for a MACI implant;
• or cannot follow a doctor-prescribed rehabilitation program after your surgery

Consult your doctor if you have cancer in the area of the cartilage biopsy or implant as the safety of MACI is not known in those cases.

Conditions that existed before your surgery, including meniscus tears, joint instability or alignment problems should be evaluated and treated before or at the same time as the MACI implant.

MACI is not recommended if you are pregnant or breast feeding.

MACI has not been studied in patients younger than 18 or over 55 years of age. Common side effects include joint pain, cold-like symptoms, and headaches.

More serious side effects include joint pain, cartilage or meniscus injury, treatment failure, and osteoarthritis.