New cartilage patch could help teens with knee damage avoid Long-Term pain

NCT ID NCT03588975

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Vericel Corporation Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether a lab-grown cartilage implant (MACI) works better than a standard surgery (microfracture) for teens aged 10-17 with knee cartilage damage. About 45 participants will receive either treatment and be followed for improvements in pain and sports function. The goal is to see if MACI helps teens recover more fully and avoid future knee problems.

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 patch)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could offer teens with knee cartilage damage a more effective treatment than microfracture, potentially improving pain and ability to play sports.
What could go wrong: This is a small Phase 3 trial with only 45 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. MACI requires surgery and recovery, and it's not a cure—ongoing joint issues may remain.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

articular cartilage disorder chondromalacia osteochondritis dissecans

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ARTICULAR CARTILAGE DEFECT ARTICULAR CARTILAGE DISORDER OF KNEE CHONDRAL DEFECT OSTEOCHONDRITIS DISSECANS (OCD)

Contacts and locations

Locations

Akron Children's Hospital
RECRUITING

Akron, Ohio, 44308, United States
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
RECRUITING

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center
RECRUITING

Baltimore, Maryland, 21224, United States
Medical College of Wisconsin
RECRUITING

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53201, United States
Ochsner Sports Medicine Institute
RECRUITING

New Orleans, Louisiana, 70121, United States
Penn Sports Medicine Center
RECRUITING

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
Shriner's Hospital for Children Northern California
RECRUITING

Sacramento, California, 95817, United States
Stanford University
RECRUITING

Palo Alto, California, 94304, United States
Texas Children's Hospital
WITHDRAWN

Houston, Texas, 77094, United States
The Ohio State University Jameson Crane Sports Medicine Institute
RECRUITING

Columbus, Ohio, 43202, United States
University of California Davis Health
RECRUITING

Sacramento, California, 95817, United States
University of Michigan
RECRUITING

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48106, United States

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