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Is gender influencing the biomechanical results after autologous chondrocyte implantation?

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

The influence of gender on the biomechanical outcome after autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) including isokinetic muscle strength measurements has not been investigated. The present prospective study was performed to evaluate gender-specific differences in the biomechanical function 48 months after ACI.

Methods

Fifty-two patients (mean age 35.6 ± 8.5 years) that met our inclusion criteria, underwent ACI with Bioseed C® and were evaluated with the KOOS score preoperatively, 6, 12 and 48 months after surgery. At final follow-up, 44 out of the 52 patients underwent biomechanical evaluation with isokinetic strength measurements of both knees. All data were evaluated separately for men and women and compared for each time interval using the Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

Clinical scores improved significantly over the whole study period (p < 0.05). Male patients demonstrated significantly better scores during the follow-up in the KOOS score (p < 0.05). Isokinetic strength measurements after 48 months revealed a significant strength deficit of the treated knee in all test modes compared to the healthy extremity (p < 0.05). Furthermore, male patients achieved significantly higher strength values compared to female patients (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

ACI is a viable treatment option for full-thickness chondral defects in the knee of both genders. Isokinetic muscle strength measures are significantly worse in women (p < 0.05), but physiological and may play a role for the explanation of gender-specific results after ACI.

Level of evidence

II.

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Acknowledgments

No financial support of this project has occurred. The authors have received nothing of value. This manuscript does not contain information about medical devices.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Medical Center Rostock, Doberanerstr. 142, 18057, Rostock, Germany

    Peter C. Kreuz & Thomas Tischer

  2. Division of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Spitalstr. 21, 4031, Basel, Switzerland

    Sebastian Müller

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Albert Ludwig University Freiburg, Hugstetterstr. 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany

    Christoph Erggelet, Philipp Niemeyer & Anja Hirschmüller

  4. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA

    Arvind von Keudell

  5. Deparment of Rheumatology, Charitè Campus Mitte, Charitè Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitèplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany

    Christian Kaps

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  1. Peter C. Kreuz
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Correspondence to Peter C. Kreuz.

Additional information

Peter C. Kreuz and Sebastian Müller contributed equally to the work.

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Kreuz, P.C., Müller, S., Erggelet, C. et al. Is gender influencing the biomechanical results after autologous chondrocyte implantation?. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 22, 72–79 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-2280-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-2280-3

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