SaluCartilage™—ein künstlicher Knorpelersatz für die minimal-invasive Behandlung osteochondraler Defekte

Articular cartilage defects that are symptomatic represent a clinical challenge. Symptomatic cartilage defects can lead to premature ostearthritis. Although there are different treatment options available, best therapy of osteochondral defects is still controversial. Synthetic cartilage represents a new surgical option for osteochondral resurfacing of focal osteochondral defects. In a prospective case-control-study 5 patients were enrolled. The early results concerning pain relief and joint function are promising. However, there is a need for a longer observation study including more patients from different centers to find out the indications, limits and disadvantages of this new treatment option.