J Exp Orthop. 2026 Jun 15;13(2):e70803. doi: 10.1002/jeo2.70803. eCollection 2026 Apr.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Autologous minced cartilage implantation (MCI) has been proposed as a promising single-step procedure for treatment of focal cartilage defects in the knee joint. However, clinical evidence regarding the glenohumeral joint is limited. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes after MCI for focal cartilage defects of the glenohumeral joint.
METHODS: Patients who underwent arthroscopic MCI for focal, grade IV cartilage defects of the glenohumeral joint between October 2021 and March 2023 were analysed. Postoperative clinical evaluation included the Constant-Murley (CM), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, the Simple Shoulder Value (SSV) and assessment of range of motion (ROM) and strength. Postoperative shoulder-dependent athletic ability was evaluated using the Athletic Shoulder Outcome Scoring System (ASOSS). Cartilage repair tissue morphology was assessed on magnetic resonance imaging using the Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) 2.0 score.
RESULTS: All eight eligible patients (median age at surgery, 25.5 ± 5.5 years) were included in the study, with a median follow-up of 2.5 years (range, 2.0-2.8 years). The focal cartilage defect was located at the glenoid concavity in six patients and humeral head in two patients, with a median size of 2.4 cm2 (range, 1.0-4.0 cm2). At final follow-up, patients showed a median CM score of 85.0, CM score relative to the contralateral side of 95.5, ASES score of 93.5, SSV of 90.0 and DASH of 4.6. Patients demonstrated no difference in ROM and strength compared to the contralateral side (p > 0.05, respectively). With a median ASOSS of 86.0, patients showed good athletic ability. The median MOCART score was 74.2 with substantial defect filling and integration to adjacent cartilage.
CONCLUSION: MCI for treatment of focal cartilage defects of the glenohumeral joint showed a radiologically successful defect coverage along with good to excellent clinical outcomes in patients with or without concomitant procedures at a minimum 2-year follow-up.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.
PMID:42305890 | PMC:PMC13266574 | DOI:10.1002/jeo2.70803