MACI Procedure

Available at St. Mary Orthopaedics, the MACI (Matrix-induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation) procedure is completed by an orthopedic knee specialist who harvests cartilage cells from the knee of the patient. The surgeon sends the harvested cartilage cells to a lab where the cells grow into additional cartilage. Once regenerated, the surgeon implants the new cartilage into the damaged area of the knee. The cells take about five-six weeks to grow in the lab.

The MACI procedure is indicated in patients that have a need for the repair of single or multiple symptomatic, full-thickness cartilage defects of the adult knee, with or without bone involvement.