Marrow Stimulation Has Relatively Inferior Patient-Reported Outcomes in Cartilage Restoration Surgery of the Knee: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: Multiple cartilage repair techniques are available for chondral defects in the knee. Optimal treatment is controversial. Purpose: To evaluate change from baseline in the 5 Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subscales among different cartilage repair techniques of the knee. Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 1A. Methods: Medline and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases were searched for randomized controlled trials with minimum 1 year follow-up reporting change from baseline KOOS (delta KOOS) subscale values. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed. A meta-analysis was performed on the following surgery types: microfracture (Mfx); augmented microfracture techniques (Mfx+Augment); and culture-based therapies, including autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) and matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI). A random-effects metaregression model was used. Results: A total of 14 randomized trials with a total of 775 patients were included. The KOOS Sport and Recreation (Sport) and KOOS Quality of Life (QOL) were the 2 most responsive subscales after operative intervention. Outcomes from Mfx and Mfx+Augment were not different in any of the 5 KOOS subscales (minimum P > .3). The mean delta KOOS Sport after ACI/MACI was 9.9 points greater than after Mfx ( P = .021) and 11.7 points greater than after Mfx+Augment ( P = .027). Longer follow-up time correlated with greater delta KOOS Sport ( P = .028). Larger body mass index led to greater delta KOOS QOL ( P = .045). Larger cartilage defect size correlated with greater delta KOOS Pain and KOOS Activities of Daily Living scores ( P = .023 and P = .002, respectively). Conclusion: The KOOS Sport and QOL were the most responsive subscales after cartilage restoration surgery of the knee. Culture-based therapies (ACI/MACI) led to clinically relevant improvements in the KOOS Sport score compared with marrow stimulation and may be a more appropriate treatment in younger and more active individuals. There were no benefits to Mfx+Augment over Mfx alone in any of the KOOS subscales.