Cartilage Restoration — Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) — Femoral Condyle

Massachusetts General Hospital · MGH Sports Medicine

Weight-Bearing

TTWB 20-30% BW wks 0-4; progressive WB thereafter per cartilage maturation stage

Key Restrictions

CPM 6-8 hrs/day wks 0-6; progression based on 4 cartilage maturation stages; strict adherence to WB restrictions early; no impact until Stage 3-4

Timeline & Phases

Stage 1 - Proliferative (0-6 wks): TTWB, CPM 6-8 hrs/day, ROM within limits, quad sets, SLR; Stage 2 - Transitional (6-12 wks): progressive WB, stationary bike wk 8, pool walking; Stage 3 - Remodeling (3-6 mo): full WB, progressive strengthening, elliptical; Stage 4 - Maturation (6-18 mo): running program, sport-specific, return to sport

Notes

Progression guided by 4 cartilage maturation stages rather than fixed timeline; CPM critical for cartilage nutrition; WB restrictions strictly enforced; compare with ACI-patella protocol for patellofemoral lesions. [Archived copy — original Massachusetts General Hospital URL retired in the Mass General Brigham site migration; Wayback snapshot 2025-02-16.]

Surgeon / Author

MGH Sports Medicine