Australian regenerative medicine company Orthocell (ASX:OCC) has announced the publication of a successful case study focused on the combination of its CelGro collagen medical device with autologous tenocyte implantation (Ortho-ATI) for the surgical repair of a large degenerate tear of the gluteal medius tendon.
The case study was published by internationally recognised orthopaedic hip specialist surgeon Dr John O’Donnell and sports and exercise doctor Associate Professor Jane Fitzpatrick.
The company said the case report supports Ortho-ATI and CelGro as durable, long-term solutions for degenerate, treatment-resistant tendons that can be used on their own or in combination.
According to Dr O’Donnell, “Gluteal tendinopathy and tendon tears are a common and debilitating injury that is often difficult to treat, especially in older patients who are less likely to benefit from surgery.
'This case study highlights the exciting potential of Ortho-ATI in combination with CelGro as a novel therapy for torn gluteal tendons requiring surgical repair. I am delighted by these results providing long-lasting improvements returning the patient to normal function.”
Gluteal tendinopathy can result in severe hip pain and is a common cause of disability affecting up to 23.5 per cent of women and 8.5 per cent of men aged between 50 and 79 years.
Orthocell said the current standard of care including corticosteroid, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections or surgery, either lack an evidence base for long-term efficacy or suffer from variability in failure rates and full restoration.
The company said the new case report is based on the treatment of a 63-year-old woman who suffered from chronic right-sided hip pain for over 15 years. The patient underwent numerous conservative treatment options and right hip replacement surgery - all without success.
In 2016, the patient suffered a rupture of the gluteus medius from the insertion of the hip bone. The patient underwent open surgery in April 2017 where the gluteus medius was anatomically repaired.
CelGro, acting as a carrier and scaffold for Ortho-ATI (patients own cultured tenocytes), was then sutured over the repaired tendon.
The company said pain and function improvement was reported by the patient at the 12-week post-implantation review. At six months post-treatment, and with a physiotherapy led strength-based exercise program, the patient reported that pain had settled and was walking without a limp. She had normal function in the hip at 12 months. A structural improvement in the tendon was confirmed by repeat MRI.
Orthocell Managing Director Paul Anderson, said, “The positive case study is a global first supporting the combination of CelGro and Ortho-ATI to provide a durable solution to treat severely torn tendons.
"This is an exciting pipeline application combining our leading products CelGro and Ortho-ATI and is a ground-breaking approach that continues to place OCC at the forefront of tendon regenerative medicine.”