Autologous chondrocyte implantation

ACI (Autologous chondrocyte implantation) repairs articular cartilage. It works in three stages:
1. Arthroscopically sampling of 200 to 300 mg cartilage.
2. Isolated chondrocytes are grown in vitro for about four to six weeks.
3. Chondrocytes are applied in a second intervention on the damaged area. The autologous cells should adapt themselves to their new environment by forming new cartilage.