Biostimulation of Knee Cartilage Using Autologous Micro-Grafts: A Preliminary Study of the Rigenera Protocol in Osteochondral Lesions of the Knee

Osteochondral pathologies are associated with cartilage loss. Autologous micro-grafts, obtained from various tissues containing mesenchymal stem cells, has proven regenerative properties in various tissues. The study included patients with osteochondral pathology not responding to conventional therapies and considered suitable for treatment with autologous micro-graft. Fifteen days before the intervention, patients started treatment with chondroitin sulfate and supplementary vitamin C and zinc. Autologous micro-grafts were obtained from ear skin and cartilage, disaggregated using the Rigenera system, and injected into the knee under local anesthesia. After the intervention, patients underwent six-week rehabilitation program based on non-weight bearing exercises. Nine patients were enrolled into the study. The autologous graft transfer was successful in all patients, and no severe complications were recorded, including aesthetical defects in the donor site. Eight patients (88.9%) experienced an improvement in all subdomains of the WOMAC scale. The median (IR) improvement in the WOMAC scale was 22.0 (10.0 – 40.0) points. The MRI examination revealed the absence of space-occupying lesions in the knee and the surrounding soft tissues in all patients. An edema reduction was observed in 8 of 9 patients (88.9%); 3 patients (33.3%) showed a thickening of the cartilage line. Autologous micro-graft transfer using the Rigenera system is safe and has promising results in the treatment of chondral injuries associated with pain and function limiting.