Aspetar introduces new advanced therapy to repair cartilage defects in knee

Surgeons at the orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital, Aspetar, used a new advanced therapy to repair cartilage defects.

The hospital is the first medical institution in the region to use this technology.The cartilage cells were harvested and isolated from the patient, and then prepared in a portable lab, enhanced by Stem cells, and applied to a biological membrane.This membrane was then implanted to the defective cartilage defect in the patient's knee.During the procedure the surgeon combines chondrocytes and stem cells of the patient and this mixture is applied to the cartilage defect with the use of a biological absorbable membrane.In this way, the chondrocytes are producing cartilage and the defect is filled with a new tissue under a certain biological timeline. "At present, we do not have the optimal treatment option for cartilage, however, this technique gives better mid to long-term results when compared with most other commonly used techniques like microfractures," said Dr Emmanouil Papakostas, Aspetar orthopaedic surgeon.The procedure can be done arthroscopically or with mini arthrotomy and the duration is less than two hours. The patient stays in the hospital for one or two days and to resume his daily activities, it takes six to eight weeks considering the exact anatomical location of the problem and the size.The same parameters also play a role in the return to playtime, which can be from 6 to 12 months. This new service will allow the hospital to perform the procedure for selected cases, with the proper indication, as part of the full spectrum of joint preservation treatments that are already applied at Aspetar.Aspetar's surgery department boasts a team of highly-skilled, internationally renowned surgeons from around the world, who perform sports and arthroscopic surgical procedures using the most advanced techniques and equipment.Damage to the articular cartilage of the knee in athletes presents one of the most difficult challenges in the care of elite and recreational athletes.Cartilage defect injuries in athletes are common in sports associated with jumping, pivoting, rapid deceleration, and acceleration.This is particularly true of football, basketball, and handball, but may also occur in any sport requiring these repeated athletic movements.Aspetar provides comprehensive and high-level treatment services to all athletes, through modern facilities established according to international standards.In 2009, Aspetar was officially accredited as a centre of excellence in sports medicine by FIFA, and in 2013, it was accredited as a Gulf reference centre approved by the Council of Health Ministers for the Gulf Co-operation Council countries.It was also approved as a research centre by the International Olympic Committee for the prevention of injury and preservation of the health of athletes in 2014.In 2015, the International Handball Federation announced the accreditation of Aspetar as a reference centre for handball players and referees all over the world. In the same year, Aspetar received the platinum level of Canadian International Accreditation for Excellence.The hospital is one of the constituent bodies of the Aspire Zone Foundation, the preferred sports destination for sports activity and healthy lifestyles in Qatar and the region. (QNA)