R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, DEC 27
In a significant advancement in joint preservation and orthopaedic care, MGM Healthcare Malar, Adyar has demonstrated sustained long-term success with a fifth-generation Autograft Cartilage Tissue Transplant, offering new hope to patients suffering from cartilage damage and early osteoarthritis of the knee.
The novel single-stage, daycare arthroscopic procedure enables patients to walk immediately after surgery, eliminating the need for implants, crutches or prolonged physiotherapy. Notably, a 53-year-old man treated at the hospital in 2018 continues to remain completely symptom-free six years later, highlighting the durability and effectiveness of this advanced procedurre.
Joint-preserving alternative to knee replacement
Performed using the patient’s own healthy cartilage, the autograft transplant involves harvesting cartilage from a non-weight-bearing area of the joint and transplanting it into the damaged region during the same surgical sitting. This approach overcomes the drawbacks of earlier cartilage repair techniques that required multiple surgeries or external cartilage culturing.
The procedure is especially beneficial for patients with focal chondral defects, osteochondral lesions, chondromalacia patella and early-stage osteoarthritis, conditions which, if left untreated, often progress to severe degeneration necessitating total knee replacement. By restoring damaged cartilage at an early stage, the technique preserves the natural joint and prolongs its functional lifespan.
MGM Malar’s journey of innovation
MGM Healthcare Malar, Adyar has been pioneering this technique since 2018, refining it through continuous clinical research and outcome analysis. Patients undergoing this advanced cartilage transplant have consistently reported long-term healing, pain relief and high satisfaction, while maintaining mobility without reliance on implants or assistive devices.
Explaining the procedure, Dr. Nandkumar Sundaram, Senior Consultant, Department of Orthopaedics, MGM Healthcare Malar, Adyar, said, “Cartilage damage caused by injury, wear-and-tear or arthritis requires specialised restoration techniques to maintain smooth joint movement. Autograft cartilage tissue transplant is among the most effective options available. The procedure involves graft preparation, application of platelet-rich plasma derived from the patient’s own blood to enhance healing, and fibrin glue fixation using a natural biological adhesive. All these steps are completed in a single minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery.”
He added that patients are able to walk immediately after surgery, without braces or supports.
“The procedure reduces pain, improves mobility, repairs sports or trauma-related injuries and helps prevent or delay the progression of arthritis,” Dr. Sundaram noted.
Replying to queries, Dr Sundaram said, “Since 2018, we performed `5th-generation Autograft Cartilage Tissue Transplant’ to 35 patients, out of them 60 are women and all of them are doing well. The procedure is minimally invasive and approved by health insurance companies. Patients can avoid total knee replacement” he added.
Six-year symptom-free outcome underscores success
One of the standout success stories is that of a 53-year-old Vivek,an Engineer by profession hailiing from Tamil Nadu, currently employed in Madhya Pradesh, who had endured over 15 years of severe knee pain and restricted mobility due to osteoarthritis. Progressive cartilage loss and joint deformity had put him on course for total knee replacement. However, following a single-stage autograft cartilage transplant in 2018, he has remained pain-free and fully functional for six years, underscoring the long-term benefits of the procedure.
Dr. Sundaram emphasised that careful patient selection is key to achieving such outcomes.
“When the criteria are strictly followed, patients experience significant pain relief, improved mobility and prolonged joint health, effectively delaying or avoiding total knee replacement,” he said.
Commitment to minimally invasive care
Commenting on the milestone, Mr. Venugopal Bhat, Chief Operating Officer, MGM Healthcare Malar, Adyar, said, “This long-term success reflects our commitment to minimally invasive innovation that meaningfully improves patients’ quality of life.”
With proven long-term outcomes and growing clinical adoption, MGM Healthcare Malar’s advanced autograft cartilage transplant is emerging as a game-changing solution in orthopaedic medicine, redefining knee care by preserving natural joints and restoring mobility well before replacement becomes inevitable.
