7.2.2025

Long-term study proves lasting success with HyaloFast

A recent long-term study (Whyte et al. 2024) confirms the sustained efficacy of HyaloFast in combination with Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) in the treatment of cartilage injuries in the knee. With a follow-up period of up to 16 years, the results show impressive improvements in pain reduction and functional restoration.

Long-term study: HyaloFast + BMAC achieve lasting success in the treatment of knee cartilage injuries for up to 16 years.

Course of treatment and rehabilitation

After the operation, patients received structured rehabilitation with early mobilization and targeted physiotherapy measures. Functional exercises could be integrated from the ninth week and moderate running training was possible after 32 weeks. Sport-specific training began from the tenth month after the operation. The importance of close follow-up care was also emphasized in order to individually adapt the healing process and ensure optimal results.

Results of the study

Of 27 patients, 26 were analyzed over the entire study period. The mean follow-up period was 14 years. The results show a significant reduction in pain: the median VAS pain score fell from 5.0 before treatment to 0.6 at the last follow-up. All subscales of the KOOS score also improved significantly, regardless of age, lesion size or concomitant surgical measures. It was also shown that patients with early postoperative mobilization achieved a faster recovery of function.

Box plot of scores on the visual analog scale (VAS) to compare pre-treatment scores (pre-op) and scores at the final follow-up after treatment of knee cartilage damage using a hyaluronic acid-based framework combined with bone marrow aspirin concentrate. The charts show minimum, 25th percentile, median, 75th percentile, and maximum value. The median VAS score at the final follow-up was significantly lower compared to the pre-treatment score (P\ .001). The change in the median VAS value exceeded the minimal clinically significant difference.

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KOOS score: sustainable improvement of joint function

The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) measures various aspects of joint health, including pain, symptoms, activities of daily living, ability to exercise And the one with the Quality of life associated restrictions. The long-term results of the study consistently show significant improvements in all subscales of the KOOS score. The increase in sporting performance and the reduction of everyday restrictions was particularly remarkable, which underscores the lasting effectiveness of HyaloFast in combination with BMAC. It was also interesting to note that these improvements were maintained in patients over the age of 40, which indicates the high regenerative capacity of the therapy.

Box plot of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) to compare the values before treatment (pre-op) and the results of the final follow-up examination after hyaluronic acid-based hyaluronic acid-based framework combined with BMAC of knee cartilage damage. The charts show the minimum, 25th percentile, median, 75, and maximum values. All KOOS subscale scores at follow-up were significantly increased compared to pre-treatment values (P .001). For all subscales, the change in median KOOS values exceeded the minimal clinically significant difference for all subscales. ADL, daily living activities; QOL, quality of life.

Comparison with other methods

The study highlights the advantages of HyaloFast over other cartilage reconstruction techniques. While osteochondral transplants can often affect healthy cartilage structures, HyaloFast enables precise filling of defects and the preservation of intact joint areas. The regenerative effect of BMAC sustainably supports new cartilage formation.

Conclusion

The results confirm that HyaloFast combined with BMAC represents a successful long-term treatment option for cartilage defects. Even in older patients or extensive lesions, there was a sustained improvement in joint function. These promising long-term results underscore the potential of HyaloFast as a safe and effective treatment option for patients with cartilage damage.

Read the full study