Surgical repair of cartilage to prevent osteoarthritis later in life

Cell Therapy for Osteoarthritis

Observational Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District NHS Trust · NCT07320118

This project will see if surgical treatments for cartilage defects (such as ACI) reduce the chance of developing osteoarthritis later in people who had cartilage repair or alternative treatments.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment650 (estimated)
SexAll
SponsorRobert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District NHS Trust Government
Locations2 sites (Oswestry and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07320118 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is an observational cohort effort based at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital with collaboration from Keele University, following patients who have received autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) or alternative cartilage treatments. Investigators will collect existing clinical records, imaging, and patient-reported outcome data to compare long-term development of osteoarthritis between treatment groups. No new interventions are given; analyses will look for associations between the type of cartilage treatment and later OA outcomes. The findings aim to inform whether certain surgical approaches are associated with lower risk of developing osteoarthritis over time.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who previously had ACI or another surgical cartilage repair and can provide medical records and follow-up information.

Not a fit: People who have not had cartilage repair surgery or who cannot provide follow-up data or attend the study site are unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help doctors choose cartilage repair methods that lower patients' risk of developing osteoarthritis later in life.

How similar studies have performed: Prior observational cohorts and surgical series have reported mixed evidence that cartilage repair may delay OA, with limited long-term randomized data available.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* ACI patients or patients receiving an alternative treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

* Anyone who does not meet the inclusion criteria

Where this trial is running

Oswestry and 1 other locations

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Osteoarthritis
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.