Autologous Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Implantation for Cartilage Defects: Two Cases Report
Channarong Kasemkijwattana MD*, Suradej Hongeng MD**, Suraphol Kesprayura MD***, Visit Rungsinaporn MD*, Kanda Chaipinyo PhD****, Kosum Chansiri PhD*****
Affiliation : * Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center, Srinakhrinwirot University, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand ** Department of Pediatrics, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand *** Department of Orthopedics, Police General Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand **** Faculty of Health Science, Srinakhrinwirot University, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand ***** Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakhrinwirot University, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand
Objective : The authors reported the results of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) implantation in
two patients with large traumatic cartilage defects of the knee.
Material and Method: Two patients with grade 3-4 according to the International Cartilage Repair Society Classification
System were performed autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) implantation on December 2007 and
January 2008. The bone marrow aspiration was performed in the outpatient visit under local anesthesia and sent to the
laboratory for BM-MSCs isolation and expansion. The BM-MSCs were re-implanted into the defects with the three-dimensional
collagen scaffold. The patients were clinical evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with Knee and Osteoarthritis
Outcome Score (KOOS), International Knee Documentation Committee Score (IKDC Score) and arthroscopic examination.
The duration of follow-up was 30-31 months.
Results : There was no postoperative complication. The clinical evaluation with Knee and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score
(KOOS) and International Knee Documentation Committee Score (IKDC Score) showed significant improvement. The
arthroscopic assessment showed the good defect fill, stiffness and incorporation to the adjacent cartilage.
Conclusion : The autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells implantation showed the potential for the treatment of
large cartilage defects. The one-stage procedure is the advantage over the conventional autologous chondrocytes implantation.
The long-term follow-up with long last hyaline-like cartilage is required.
Keywords : Knee injury, Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, Cartilage defects
