Could a collagen patch help heal hip cartilage better than standard surgery?
NCT ID NCT05402072
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This pilot study compares two surgical techniques for repairing damaged hip cartilage in 40 people aged 18 to 55. One group receives standard microfracture surgery, while the other gets an enhanced procedure called AMIC, which uses a collagen patch to protect the repair site. Researchers will measure hip function, pain, and cartilage healing over two years to see if the patch leads to better outcomes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- collagen matrix (Chondro-Gide®) used in the AMIC procedure
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could provide a better surgical option for repairing hip cartilage damage, potentially improving long-term hip function and reducing pain.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase pilot study with only 40 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The procedure is still experimental and may not prove better than the standard microfracture technique.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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About 40 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2023
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 55 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. All patients aged 18-55 years 2. Hip pain lasting 6 months or more with no relief from documented non-operative modalities 3. Focal articular cartilage defects of the acetabulum on MRI, confirmed to be full thickness (International Cartilage Regeneration and Joint Preservation Society (ICRS) grade 3 or 4) during arthroscopic examination 4. Focal acetabular articular cartilage lesions measuring between 3 cm2 and 25 cm2 on MRI and confirmed on arthroscopic examination 5. Patient agrees to participate in the study-specific postoperative rehabilitation protocol 6. Patient can speak, read, and understand the language of the site 7. Patient has provided informed consent Exclusion Criteria: 1. Cartilage defects of the femoral head 2. Previous surgery on the study hip 3. Traumatic chondral injury of the hip from a single event 4. Presence of advanced osteoarthritis (Tonnis grade 3) or any other acute or chronic inflammatory joint disease 5. Known hypersensitivity or allergy to porcine collagen 6. Acute or chronic infection at the surgical site 7. Evidence of hip dysplasia (i.e., lateral centre edge angle \< 20˚) 8. Evidence of acetabular over coverage such as coxa profunda or coxa protrusion 9. Immunosuppressive or anti-proliferative medication use 10. Chronic pain syndromes 11. Significant medical co-morbidities (requiring assistance for activities of daily living (ADLs)) 12. History of paediatric hip disease 13. Uncontrolled diabetes 14. Contraindications to MRI imaging (e.g. claustrophobia) 15. Patient is involved in ongoing legal or workplace claims 16. Patient is incarcerated 17. Patient is pregnant or breastfeeding 18. Patient who will likely have problems, in the judgement of the investigator, with maintaining follow-up 19. Any other reason(s) the investigator feels is relevant for excluding the patient
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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McMaster University
RECRUITINGHamilton, Ontario, L8N3Z5, Canada
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