Orthopedic Surgery Research
What if we could repair an adolescent’s cartilage defect using their own cells?
At Montefiore Einstein Orthopedic Surgery, we believe the most important discoveries always start with a question: What if? How about? Why? Curiosity is the key to advancing the science of medicine. We ask these questions in the form of research and, in doing so, endeavor to make groundbreaking and innovative findings that translate to innovative, cutting-edge care.
Problem to Solve
Cartilage defects of the hip or the knee often result from an injury. While they might seem innocuous at first, they pose an extremely challenging problem for adolescent athletes, who are placing tremendous demands on their bones and joints. Without proper treatment, these injuries can lead to persistent or progressive pain and an inability to participate in sports. Ultimately, if left untreated, it may lead to early arthritis, necessitating more invasive treatment.
Our Approach
Our multi-disciplinary pediatric sports medicine program participates in research designed to identify the optimal method of cartilage repair. Our institution is one of only few in the nation participating in the PEAK trial, which compares the MACI technique (autologous cultured chondrocytes on porcine collagen membrane) to traditional micro-fracture. In this way, we hope to identify the best approach for healing these young athletes and getting them back to doing what they love.
