Spherox: ACT 3.0 - Autologous, Innovative and Minimally Invasive

Since our society is getting older and at the same time the demands for sport are growing in old age, joint prostheses only offer an ideal solution to a limited extent. Die ACT is an established method for which there is an increasing number of randomized case-controlled trials (RCTs) with results over up to 20 years. The advantage of this method is that a hyaline cartilage regenerated forms that come as close as possible to the physiological parameters in order to restore joint function. A study by Vogelmann et al. showed that up to 21% of all endoprostheses could be avoided by using ACT across the board. Spherox is the first product to have EU-wide approval. It represents the 3rd generation of ACT, which completely dispenses with a carrier membrane for the cartilage cells.

The three-dimensional structure of the spheroids is adherent and can therefore be introduced arthroscopically. Another advantage is approval for young patients with closed growth joints up to a size of 10 cm². In many studies, effectiveness in improving clinical scores, defect refilling in MRI (MoCart score) and histologically has been demonstrated. This is how it shows Spherox a success rate of up to 90%, even with retropatellar defects. ACT is a two-stage surgical method in which, in the first operation, a cartilage bone cylinder, usually from the notch, is removed using a punch. These cells are then cultured in vitro and are available for transplantation again after 5—6 weeks.

Want to know more about Spherox? Discover the entire article of Dr. Florian Obwegeser, in the JATROS journal for orthopedics & traumatology!