New cartilage implant aims to outperform microfracture for ankle injuries
NCT ID NCT06915233
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This Phase 3 trial tests whether a lab-grown cartilage implant (MACI) can better repair painful ankle cartilage defects than the standard microfracture procedure. About 309 adults aged 17-65 with ankle cartilage damage will be randomly assigned to receive either MACI or microfracture surgery. The main goal is to see if MACI leads to greater improvements in pain and function after two years.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
MACI (lab-grown cartilage cells on a collagen membrane)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could offer a more effective, long-lasting repair option for painful ankle cartilage defects, potentially reducing pain and improving function better than the current standard microfracture procedure.
What could go wrong
This is a Phase 3 trial, but it's still experimental. The treatment requires surgery, and there's a risk the new cartilage may not integrate well or provide better outcomes than microfracture. Long-term benefits are not yet proven.
Disclaimer
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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.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Elevate Clinical Research Houston - All American Orthopedic and Sports Medicine
RECRUITINGHouston, Texas, 77058, United States
Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Elevate Clinical Research Wichita - Kansas Joint and Spine specialists
RECRUITINGWichita, Kansas, 67226, United States
Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
RECRUITINGWashington D.C., District of Columbia, 20007, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
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San Antonino Podiatry Associates
RECRUITINGSan Antonio, Texas, 78251, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact