Applications

1773 – Autologous chondrocyte implantation for symptomatic articular cartilage defects greater than 2cm2 of the knee

Find out about the service or technology in this application and the medical condition it addresses. You can also view the application documents, the deadlines for providing consultation input and the outcome of the application when the MSAC process is complete.

  • Status -
  • Type New application
  • Pre-PASC consultation Closed
  • Pre-MSAC consultation Not yet started
  • Outcome Pending

Application details

Reason for application

New MBS item.

Service or technology in this application

Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation aims to stimulate new cartilage production by encouraging the growth of cartilage cells (chondrocytes), which are responsible for production and maintenance of cartilage tissue. Healthy articular cartilage is harvested from the knee joint and sent to a laboratory, where the chondrocytes are isolated from the cartilage and expanded in a test tube or dish. Approximately five weeks after biopsy collection, the cultured chondrocytes are seeded onto a collagen scaffold. The scaffold/chondrocyte implant is then fixed in place at the injury site.

Type: Therapeutic technology

Medical condition this application addresses

Symptomatic loss of joint cartilage of the knee. Symptoms include pain, swelling, joint stiffness and joint clicking or locking. Joint cartilage (also called hyaline cartilage) has no blood vessels and therefore has limited potential for self-repair. Therefore, if left untreated, cartilage injury often progresses to osteoarthritis in the affected joint.

Consultation survey and deadlines

  • PASC consultation: Closed 15 March 2024
  • MSAC consultation: TBA – please subscribe to the MSAC bulletin to be notified when consultation opens for this application.

Meetings to consider this application

  • PASC meeting: 18–19 April 2024
  • ESC meeting: -
  • MSAC meeting: -