New cartilage patch could help teens with knee damage avoid Long-Term pain
NCT ID NCT03588975
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.
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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Akron Children's Hospital
RECRUITINGAkron, Ohio, 44308, United States
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Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
RECRUITINGPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center
RECRUITINGBaltimore, Maryland, 21224, United States
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Medical College of Wisconsin
RECRUITINGMilwaukee, Wisconsin, 53201, United States
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Ochsner Sports Medicine Institute
RECRUITINGNew Orleans, Louisiana, 70121, United States
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Penn Sports Medicine Center
RECRUITINGPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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Shriner's Hospital for Children Northern California
RECRUITINGSacramento, California, 95817, United States
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Stanford University
RECRUITINGPalo Alto, California, 94304, United States
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Texas Children's Hospital
WITHDRAWNHouston, Texas, 77094, United States
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The Ohio State University Jameson Crane Sports Medicine Institute
RECRUITINGColumbus, Ohio, 43202, United States
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University of California Davis Health
RECRUITINGSacramento, California, 95817, United States
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University of Michigan
RECRUITINGAnn Arbor, Michigan, 48106, United States