Histological assessment of ACI

The initial results of this study were encouraging on both clinical and histological grounds. It seems that a membrane of type I/III collagen can be used to regenerate hyaline-like cartilage in patients who have previously undergone multiple operations for cartilage defects. Further evaluation is required in ongoing studies to answer some outstanding questions: Should biopsies be taken one or two years after the procedure? From where should the biopsies be taken? Should biopsies be taken from the interface between the normal articular cartilage and the host bone of the reparative process? Are biopsies actually necessary? How should patients be best assessed so that all surgeons produce quantitative and qualitative data which can then be compared?