TREATMENT OPTIONS
Understanding the TREATMENT
What Is the AutoCart Technique?
Your doctor might choose this procedure if you have cartilage damage, called a cartilage lesion, that is fairly small and does not include the underlayer (or subchondral) bone. It is completed in one surgery and uses your own cartilage to help encourage healing at the site of damage.
Benefits of the TREATMENT
Why Do Patients and Surgeons Choose the AutoCart Technique?
Justin J. Mitchell, MD
Keeps Options Open
Can be performed with other procedures (such as meniscus repair and ACL reconstruction) and doesn't reduce your future treatment options if you need them
Early Intervention
Can be used to treat smaller, less severe cartilage lesions before they get worse
Minimal Incision
Surgeons may use small devices through portals (called arthroscopic surgery) or a very small incision
The Treatment
How Does the AutoCart Technique Work?
Joint Inspection and Defect Preparation
Your surgeon will use a tiny arthroscopic camera to inspect the knee joint to confirm how large the lesion is and that the AutoCart technique is the right option for your needs.
Cartilage Harvesting
Your surgeon will use a surgical shaver to clean up the edges of your cartilage lesion and collect the remnants. This minced cartilage contains viable cells that help cartilage regrow in the damaged area.3
Preparing the Lesion Site
Your surgeon may use a small drill to create tiny holes that will allow the graft mixture to incorporate.
Preparing the Graft
Next, your surgeon will mix this collected cartilage with autologous fluid (material from your own body, such as blood or platelet-rich plasma) and a "scaffold" of allograft (or donor) cartilage, and place the mixture back into the cartilage defect to fill it.
Sealing
Finally, your doctor will seal this mixture with a special serum called thrombin, which forms a clot and secures the repair.
Success Rates and Long-Term Outcomes
Conservative Care
Can My Cartilage Defect Be Treated Without Surgery?
Your surgeon may discuss nonoperative treatments if your symptoms aren’t impacting your life, but if you begin experiencing symptoms, surgery is likely to be their recommendation. Conservative treatments they may suggest you try before surgery include:
Physical therapy
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication
A brace to help take the weight off your knee
Limits to particular activities
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this treat arthritic conditions? Do these conditions prevent joint replacement?
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When cartilage damage is left untreated, it can lead to further injury, arthritis, and/or the need for total joint replacement in the future. However, while joint preservation options are designed to help prevent further cartilage damage, it is possible you could need additional procedures in the future, including joint replacement. Your doctor will talk to you about your specific situation and treatment options.
What does "single-stage" or "one-step" mean?
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The AutoCart technique is performed during one surgery and can even be done at the same time as other treatments for meniscal repair and ligament repair and reconstruction. Similar treatments require two surgeries—one to biopsy and collect your tissue, which is implanted on tissue from an animal, and a second after the tissue is sent back to your surgeon for implantation.
Does insurance cover this procedure?
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Please discuss coverage for this and any other treatments with your doctor and insurance company.
For healthcare providers: Arthrex offers reimbursement and claims support. Please visit https://www.arthrex.com/reimbursement/coding-guides for more information.
What does recovery look like?
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While every patient's needs are different, your doctor may recommend crutches and/or an "unloader" brace, limited range of motion, and physical therapy tailored to your specific activities and goals.
Need more information?
Learn more about this technique to prepare for a discussion with your doctor.
