Cartilage cell transplantation procedure for arthritis approved by NHS

Patients with a certain form ofarthritis have a new preventative treatment option available to them, following the recent NHS approval of a cutting-edge cartilage cell transplantation procedure. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has won approval to be funded across the NHS thanks to a growing body of clinical evidence - supported by Arthritis Research UK and others - that has conclusively demonstrated the considerable benefits the technique offers. How the procedure works ACI is designed to help patients who have small areas of cartilage damage or earlyosteoarthritis of the knee. These conditions can often affect younger people in their 20s and 30s, sometimes as the result of a sporting injury. The procedure sees a sample of cartilage removed from the knee, allowing doctors to grow a fresh supply of healthy cells that are native to the patient's body in a laboratory, a process that takes around three weeks. These chondrocyte cells can then be returned to the affected area in a second surgical procedure. Following this process, the cells anchor themselves to the bone within 24 hours, resulting in fresh cartilage growth at the damaged site. Patients can expect to resume everyday use of the joint in three months and full activities including sports after 12 months, making this a much better option for younger patients thanknee replacement, which was previously the only alternative treatment. A growing body of supporting evidence Before the recent decision to approve ...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news