Stem cells for osteochondral defects

While cytotherapy for cartilage regeneration began with autologous chondrocyte implantation, the advantages of mesenchymal stem cells are increasingly  recognised; these include reduced morbidity associated with obtaining donor cells as well as elimination of problems associated with autologous chondrocyte implantation (Bornes et al., 2014). Despite interest in their clinical application, few controlled studies have been performed, and no randomised controlled trial.