ProChondrix® CR Articular Cartilage Restoration Evaluation (PACE) Registry

Chondral injuries are a common issue that affects nearly one million people in the United States annually1. According to the PearlDiver private-payer database2, 1,959,007 patients have undergone a surgical procedure to address a cartilage defect in the knee between 2004 to 2011. Chondral lesions are a potentially debilitating condition that can be attributed to degeneration, repetitive stresses over time, or acute trauma, causing those affected by it considerable pain, and in many cases compromised mobility and a decline in the quality of life. Regardless of the etiology, cartilage lesions pose a particular challenge to surgeons and patients. Articular cartilage is avascular which results in a poor intrinsic regeneration or healing potential, thus requiring intervention. Current clinical practice varies greatly, and in spite of advances in surgical techniques and innovative product offerings, outcomes after surgery are highly variable. Today several options for surgeons and patients exist depending on the degree of damage. Numerous surgical procedures have been developed to address focal cartilage defects specifically, yet controversy remains in distinguishing a superior technique2. Cost effectiveness, unpredictable patient outcomes, incision size, multi-stage techniques, slow recovery times3, and longevity of the results plague the surgeon in determining the best course of treatment for their patients.