The management of full thickness articular cartilage defects is a challenging problem for orthopaedic surgeons. It has limited potential for healing and can be a significant source of pain and loss of function. Multiple cartilage repair strategies have been attempted. Matrix-induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (MACI) has been shown to produce hyaline-like cartilage into chondral defects. The goal of this review is to provide the current principles and technique of the MACI procedure along with reported clinical outcomes with its use.
Keywords: cartilage repair; matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation; surgical technique.