What is a Chondrocyte? What is Chondromembrane?
What is a Chondrocyte?
Cartilage tissue has the ability to regenerate itself. Chondrocytes are the cells responsible for forming cartilage tissue and producing collagen.
What is Chondromembrane?
The chondrocyte product prepared by ONKIM laboratories can be homogeneously cultured on a collagen-based membrane if requested by the physician. In this case, the product is called ‘Chondromembrane.’
What are the Clinical Uses of Chondrocyte – Chondromembrane?
- In the femoral condyles,
- In stage III and stage IV cartilage injuries,
- In cartilage damage,
- Tendon injuries, tendinitis/tendinosis problems,
- In joint degenerations,
- It can be applied to patients with sports injuries (ankle, shoulder, elbow).
How is Chondrocyte - Chondromembrane Treatment Performed?
How is Chondrocyte Treatment Performed?
For the production of person-specific chondrocyte cells, a healthy cartilage tissue biopsy is taken from the patient. The biopsy, about 1-2 mm³ in size, is obtained using the arthroscopy method.
At the same time, blood is drawn from the individual and sent under special transfer conditions to ONKIM’s GMP laboratories. In the laboratory, chondrocyte cells are cultured and multiplied in serum obtained from the individual’s own blood. If the necessary quality control tests are passed, the physician prepares the desired number of cartilage cells for the specific area and damage to be treated and transfers them for application.
The transferred cells must be applied within 48 hours. Chondrocyte cells can be applied in two different ways, depending on the patient’s condition and the physician’s preference:
1. By directly injecting the chondrocyte cells, which are suspended in a solution, into the joint.
2. By combining them with different intra-articular filling materials and then injecting them into the joint.
How is Chondromembrane Treatment Performed?
The cartilage tissue in the area where the chondromembrane will be applied is cleaned down to the bone. Curettage is performed until healthy cartilage tissue is reached. It is important that the edges of the curettage area are perpendicular to the exposed bone base.
After the damaged area is cleaned, a mold of the area to be treated is taken. The size of the mold is used to cut the membrane with scissors. The flat surface of the membrane product should face the joint, while the rough surface should face the base of the damage.
The cut membrane is fixed to the area to be treated using tissue adhesive or similar materials. After ensuring proper fixation and checking for any bleeding, the area is cleaned and closed.