Osteochondritis Dissecans

 - Cell Therapy Approaches

Autologous chondrocytes and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are the cells of choice for OCD-targeted cell therapy. Implantation of autologous chondrocytes demonstrated functional improvement in patients with full-thickness patellofemoral chondral defects. BM-MSC implantation demonstrated improvement in arthroscopic and histological grading and in clinical symptoms in treated patients. In vitro studies demonstrated BM-MSC differentiation into chondrocytes, supporting feasibility of transplantation.

Enhanced healing was reported following transplantation of MSCs seeded on an osteochondral implant in a biphasic construct. In the cartilage region, incidence of fibrocartilage and improved glycosaminoglycan content was reduced. In the bone, a higher degree of mineralization that facilitated the functional restoration of the overlying cartilage was noted.