Orthopedic surgeon Sunny Patel, MD, performed a new knee cartilage replacement procedure at Burlington, N.C.-based Alamance Regional Medical Center, the Times-News reports.
Here are four things to know:
1. The matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation uses a patient's existing cartilage to grow new cartilage, which is then implanted in the knee.
2. MACI involves two procedures. In the first minimally invasive procedure, physicians collect a sample of healthy cartilage cells. The cartilage is grown on the implantable membrane before the more invasive second surgery.
Then physicians clean out damaged cartilage, cut the membrane to match the size of the defect and glue it into place to allow the new cells to migrate to the cartilage.
3. MACI is intended for isolated defects and aimed at a younger, non-arthritic population.
4. Dr. Patel received his medical degree from Cleveland-based Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and underwent sports medicine and shoulder surgery fellowship training at Durham, N.C.-based Duke University.