Ankle cartilage repair gets a boost: scaffold and stem cells tested in new trial

NCT ID NCT07555899

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This pilot study tests a new surgical technique for people with large ankle cartilage and bone defects. Surgeons will drill into the damaged bone and place a scaffold enriched with the patient's own bone marrow cells to help regenerate tissue. The goal is to see if this approach improves pain and function, and whether MRI scans show better healing at 12 months.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

scaffold enriched with bone marrow-derived cells

What this could lead to

If successful, this could offer a new surgical option to repair large ankle cartilage and bone defects, potentially reducing pain and improving joint function.

What could go wrong

This is a very small pilot study (20 people) with no control group, so results may not be generalizable. The procedure is complex and carries surgical risks like infection or incomplete healing.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

osteochondritis dissecans

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli

    RECRUITING

    Bologna, Italy

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••