Pioneering knee surgery may help prevent arthritis

Surgeons have pioneered a knee operation that could prevent the development of arthritis and extend sporting careers.

The procedure, being trialled at Southampton General Hospital, involves coating damaged cartilage with stem cells, taken from a patient’s own hip, and surgical glue.

Known as Abicus (Autologous Bone Marrow Implantation of Cells University Hospital Southampton), the technique, if successful, will regenerate the remaining tissue and create a permanent “like-for-like” replacement for the first time.