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A Pilot Clinical and Experimental Study of Type I Collagen Matrix Implantation Versus Microfracture for Knee Cartilage Defects

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background:Microfracture is used to treat cartilage defects but may compromise subchondral bone integrity.Type I collagen matrix implantation has emerged as a potential alternative for advanced (Outerbridge III-IV) lesions, although supporting evidence remains limited.This study combined clinical evaluation with an animal model to validate treatment outcomes.The aim was to compare short-term clinical efficacy and cartilage repair quality of Type I collagen matrix implantation versus microfracture and to validate clinical findings in an animal model. Material/Methods:This prospective, randomized, exploratory pilot translational study included both animal and clinical experiments.Full-thickness cartilage defects were created in 18 rats and treated with a blank control, microfracture, or Type I collagen implantation.After 12 weeks, gross and histological evaluations (Safranin O/Fast Green staining) were performed.Concurrently, 36 patients with knee cartilage defects were enrolled in a randomized, single-blind trial (collagen group, n = 20; microfracture group, n = 16) and followed for 12 months.Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), and Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) scores were recorded preoperatively (Lysholm and IKDC only) and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Results:In the animal model, Type I collagen implantation produced superior cartilage and subchondral bone repair compared with the control and microfracture groups.Clinically, both groups showed significant improvement; the collagen group consistently achieved higher functional and MOCART scores (P < 0.05). Conclusions:Type I collagen matrix implantation was associated with more favorable cartilage regeneration and better shortterm clinical outcomes than microfracture, representing an effective biomaterial-assisted treatment strategy for knee cartilage defects.

Source: Medical Science Monitor

DOI: 10.12659/msm.952142