Abstract
<jats:p>Articular cartilage lesions represent a major clinical challenge in orthopedics due to the tissue’s limited intrinsic healing capacity. While autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) remains the gold standard for treating medium-to-large cartilage defects, it requires two surgical procedures and carries the risk of donor-site morbidity. To assess the clinical application of allogeneic chondrocyte implantation (ALCI-Graft) as an alternative cell-based therapy to treat full-thickness focalized articular cartilage lesions in different joints, we present the first clinical series of 12 patients with full-thickness cartilage lesions of the knee, hip, and ankle treated with allogeneic chondrocytes seeded onto a hyaluronic acid membrane and fixed with fibrin sealant. No signs of rejection or adverse effects were observed at a maximum follow-up of 52 months. Clinical scores (Lysholm, Kujala, IKDC, KOOS, VAS, AOFAS, HOOS, Harris Hip Score) showed significant improvements (p < 0.05). Second-look arthroscopy and Fourier transform infrared micro-spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of organized collagen and rounded chondrocytes resembling healthy cartilage. ALCI-Graft emerges as a safe, effective, and logistically simpler alternative to ACI, with potential for off-the-shelf application in regenerative orthopedics at the medium term (52-months).</jats:p>