Table 2.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Arthroscopic BMAC and BioCartilage Treatment for Chondral Defects

	Advantages	Disadvantages
BMAC	Postoperative rehabilitation can begin immediately. The technique can provide growth factors and mesenchymal stem cells to begin the healing process in areas that lack blood supply and/or healing properties. Harvesting is easy, and no culture expansion is required. There is no risk of allogeneic disease transmission.	Pain improvement can take 6-8 wk. Theoretically, NSAIDs may interfere with healing, which may require opioids; however, we allow for regular doses of NSAIDs and acetaminophen to avoid opioids postoperatively. Stem cell and growth factor quantity and quality are variable, depending on patient factors and harvest quality.
BioCartilage	The small particle size improves the ability to be injected and increases the surface area, providing attachment sites for bone marrow cells. A tissue network is provided that can signal autologous cellular interactions. The method is an inexpensive and has a shelf life of 5 yr.	The use of this material is potentially questionable with larger and deeper lesions owing to poor integration of the graft. Abnormal bone growth, repair tissue growth, or detachment of the subchondral plate can result.

BMAC, bone marrow aspirate concentrate; NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.