The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
Autologous cartilage-cell implantation
A surgical treatment to repair damage in the articular cartilage of your knee. Also known as autologous chondrocyte implantation.
About cartilage-cell implantation
Autologous cartilage-cell implantation provides pain relief and delays the need for partial or total knee replacement surgery.
The aim of the implantation is to allow you to return to your old lifestyle; regaining mobility, returning to work and even playing sports again. It forms part of a clinical research project.
Need to know
The technique requires two operations. The first is to take a sample of normal cartilage cells from your knee joint. A sheet of new cartilage is then grown in our laboratory. The second is to re-implant and resurface the cartilage defects within your knee joint.
Your consultant will tell you how best to prepare for this procedure.
Following implantation you will have a period of restricted weight-bearing on your affected leg for up to eight weeks. During this time an intensive course of physiotherapy will be recommended.
Our Autologous cartilage-cell implantation locations
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
The Wilmslow Hospital
52-54 Alderley Road SK9 1NY Wilmslow
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.