When a patient has sustained full or near-full damage to the thickness of cartilage, it is possible to regenerate cartilage by implanting a "cartilage patch" of healthy cells from a different location within the patient's body. This procedure is also called "autologous chondrocyte implantation," or ACI.
Autologous refers to cells implanted within one's own body. Chondrocyte is a type of cell that repairs damaged cartilage.
John C. Lincoln Hospitals invite you to learn more about autologous chondrocyte implantation by watching the following interactive video.