Treatment of Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis With Engineered Cartilage.
This study is investigating a new treatment for a specific type of knee arthritis called patellofemoral osteoarthritis, where the cushioning cartilage behind your kneecap gets damaged. It's a common condition causing pain and difficulty. We are testing a new method called N-TEC, which uses cartilage grown from cells taken from your own nose. This is being compared to a more common treatment that involves injections of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), which uses a concentrated part of your own blood. The main aim is to see if the N-TEC treatment is more effective at reducing pain and improving knee function over two years, and to understand how it helps damaged cartilage regenerate. We're also checking for any side effects.
Em resumo
Sobre o que é este estudo?
Many people worldwide suffer from knee pain and stiffness, and often this pain comes from a condition called patellofemoral osteoarthritis. This is when the smooth, cushioning cartilage on the back of your kneecap and the groove it slides in becomes worn away. It can cause significant pain and make everyday activities difficult. This study is dedicated to finding better ways to help people with this specific type of knee problem.
We are looking at a new treatment called N-TEC. This involves taking a tiny piece of tissue from your nose, growing new cartilage from these cells in a lab, and then carefully placing this new cartilage into the damaged area of your knee. We believe these engineered cells can help your knee repair itself. To see how well it works, we’re comparing N-TEC with another treatment that involves injections of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP). PRP uses a concentrated solution from your own blood, which contains growth factors that can help with healing.
The main goal of this study, which is in its second phase, is to see if N-TEC can significantly reduce pain and improve how well your knee works compared to PRP injections. We will carefully measure your pain levels and knee function over two years. We'll also use scans like X-rays and MRI to see if the new cartilage is growing and repairing the damaged areas, which could mean it's actually changing the course of the disease rather than just managing symptoms. We'll also keep a close eye on your overall health and any side effects during the whole study.
Pontos principais
- This study compares a new cartilage repair method with a standard injection.
- It targets knee pain from worn cartilage behind the kneecap.
- You'll be followed for two years to check pain, knee function, and healing.
- You might get either a cartilage implant grown from nose cells or PRP injections.
- There are specific requirements for age and existing knee conditions to join.
Quem pode ser elegível?
To be considered for this study, you need to be an adult between 18 and 65 years old. You should have ongoing pain in the front of your knee due to patellofemoral osteoarthritis, and your knee pain must be significant enough to impact your daily life, as shown by questionnaire scores. It's important that other standard non-surgical treatments (apart from PRP injections) haven't worked for you.
There are also some specific conditions about your knee: the cartilage damage needs to be of a certain type and severity, and your knee should have a good range of motion. We'll also check your overall health through blood tests. You'll need to be willing to fully participate in the study, including attending all follow-up appointments and completing rehabilitation after any procedure.
You wouldn't be able to join if you've had knee surgery on the affected knee in the last year (unless it was just minor diagnostic surgery), or if you have severe overall knee arthritis (not just behind the kneecap). Other reasons might include being unable to have an MRI scan, having significant issues with the knee meniscus (another shock absorber in the knee), severe knee alignment problems, or if you've had a kneecap dislocation recently. A high body mass index (BMI) over 35 would also exclude you from this study.
Este estudo pode ser adequado para você?
Responda a estas perguntas rápidas para ver se você pode ser elegível. Este é apenas um guia — a decisão final é da equipe de pesquisa.
- Você tem entre 18 e 65 anos?
- Have you tried other knee pain treatments (besides PRP) that haven't worked?
- Is your knee pain mainly behind your kneecap?
- Do you have good movement in your knee (can you straighten and bend it well)?
- Have you *not* had knee surgery on the affected knee in the last 12 months (excluding minor diagnostic keyhole surgery)?
- Is your body mass index (BMI) 35 or lower?
O que envolve a participação?
If you decide to take part, you'll first go through a screening process to ensure you meet all the study requirements. Once confirmed, you would be randomly assigned to either receive the N-TEC treatment or the Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections. If you receive N-TEC, it involves a minor procedure to take a small sample from your nose, followed by a separate procedure to implant the engineered cartilage into your knee. PRP treatment involves injections into your knee.
Throughout the study, you'll have several follow-up visits at 6, 12, and 24 months. At these visits, you'll complete questionnaires about your pain and knee function, and you'll have scans like X-rays and MRI to monitor the healing of your knee. We will also carefully record any side effects you experience. You will also need to follow a rehabilitation plan after your treatment. The total duration of your active participation in the study, including all follow-ups, will be 24 months.
Riscos e benefícios potenciais
Localizações (9)
- Poliklinika IvkovićCódigo postal verificadoZagreb, Croácia· Recrutamento
- Poliklinika Ortho PlusCódigo postal verificadoZagreb, Croácia· Recrutamento
- Universitätsklinikum FreiburgCódigo postal verificadoFreiburg im Breisgau, Germany· Ainda não recrutando
- Orthopädische Klinik König-Ludwig-HausCódigo postal verificadoWürzburg, Alemanha· Ainda não recrutando
- University Hospital BaselCódigo postal verificadoBasileia, Suíça· Recrutamento
- CrossklinikCódigo postal verificadoBasileia, Suíça· Recrutamento
- Hôpitaux universitaires de GenèveCódigo postal verificadoGeneva, Switzerland· Recrutamento
- Ospedale Regionale di LuganoCódigo postal verificadoLugano, Switzerland· Recrutamento
- Sportclinic, Klinik HirslandenCódigo postal verificadoZurich, Switzerland· Recrutamento
Perguntas frequentes
What is patellofemoral osteoarthritis?
It's a type of arthritis affecting the cartilage specifically behind your kneecap, causing pain and stiffness, especially when bending your knee.
What is N-TEC?
N-TEC is a new treatment where cartilage cells from your own nose are grown in a lab and then used to repair damaged cartilage in your knee.
What is PRP?
PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma. It's a treatment using a concentrated part of your own blood, full of healing factors, which is injected into the injured area.
Quanto tempo durará o estudo se eu participar?
The study will involve follow-up visits and assessments over two years (24 months) after your treatment.
Saberei qual tratamento estou recebendo?
You will be randomly assigned to either the N-TEC group or the PRP group, but you will know which treatment you are receiving.
Como saber mais
Marcus Mumme, Dr
Sempre consulte seu médico ou especialista antes de decidir participar de um estudo.
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Desenvolvido pelo nosso fórum em community.patient.info. Por favor, seja respeitoso — isto não é um conselho médico.