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Cartilage DefectPhase 3NCT07149896

A Study of Collagen Scaffold for the Repair of Elbow Cartilage Injury

A Phase 3 study testing Collagen Scaffold (Colla-Plug) and microfracture in people with Cartilage Defect and Elbow Injury, run by Beijing Jishuitan Hospital at 1 site in China.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether adding a collagen protein scaffold can improve cartilage repair in elbow joint injuries, compared to standard surgery alone. The study will enroll 90 patients (aged 18-55) with elbow cartilage damage who haven't responded to conservative treatments. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 55 years
Conditions the study is for
Cartilage Defect, Elbow Injury
What is being tested?
Collagen Scaffold (Colla-Plug) and microfracture
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
90 participants
Where
1 siteChina
Study dates
Aug 2025to Dec 2026
Phase
Phase 3
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 55 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Subjects are between the ages of 18 and 55 (including 18 and 55 years old);
  • Articular cartilage defect reaches Outerbridge grade III/IV;
  • The area of cartilage defect in a single site is 0.5cm²-2cm²;
  • BMI 18≤BMI≤30;
  • Clinically diagnosed cartilage defect requiring arthroscopic microfracture;
  • Have not participated in other clinical trials within 3 months;
  • Conservative treatment such as rest/topical/oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for more than 3 months has not been effective
  • Subjects fully understand the benefits and risks of this trial, are willing to participate and sign the informed consent form, and are able to cooperate with clinical follow-up.

Who cannot join

  • Obvious narrowing of the elbow joint space or bone ankylosis formed between joints;
  • Severe subchondral bone injury that cannot be undergoing microfracture surgery;
  • Those with severe elbow deformity or systemic osteoarticular diseases;
  • Secondary elbow arthritis with psoriasis, syphilitic neuropathy, brown yellow disease, metabolic bone disease;
  • Elbow joint cartilage damage caused by joint fractures, infections, tumors, and immune diseases;
  • Elbow joint tumors, rheumatoid, tuberculosis, suppuration and complications affecting the joint structure;
Show all 15Show fewer
  • Those who have undergone cartilage defect transplantation from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation or other cartilage regeneration surgery within 12 months before surgery;
  • Allergies, such as porcine protein allergy, past history or family history of autoimmune diseases;
  • Those who regularly use sedatives, sleeping pills, tranquilizers or other addictive drugs;
  • Combined with cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, liver, kidney and hematopoietic system and other serious primary diseases, mental illness;
  • Those who cannot receive long-term and complex rehabilitation training after surgery;
  • Women who are planning to have children, breastfeeding and pregnant women within 12 months;
  • Those who have contraindications to MRI examination;
  • Those who have special beliefs and cannot accept it (the product source is pig source);
  • Those who are not suitable for inclusion by other researchers, such as those who cannot be judged for efficacy.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

China1 site
  • Beijing Jishuitan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University

    Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100035

    Yi Lu, 86-010-57801282, luyi_sports@126.com

Other trials in China

About this study

Official title: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study Of Collagen Scaffold For The Repair Of Elbow Cartilage Injury

The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether adding a collagen protein scaffold can improve cartilage repair in elbow joint injuries, compared to standard surgery alone. The study will enroll 90 patients (aged 18-55) with elbow cartilage damage who haven't responded to conservative treatments.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Read more
  • Does the collagen scaffold help regenerate better-quality cartilage (measured by MRI scans at 3 and 6 months)?
  • Do patients experience better pain relief and elbow function after this combined treatment?

Researchers will compare two groups:

  • Experimental group : Receives microfracture surgery + collagen scaffold implant
  • Active Comparator group : Receives microfracture surgery alone

Participants will:

  • Undergo arthroscopic surgery (either procedure)
  • Complete follow-up visits at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months
  • Have MRI scans and functional assessments
  • Report pain levels and daily activity limitations through questionnaires
Being tested
Collagen Scaffold (Colla-Plug), microfracture
Keywords
elbow cartilage defect, collagen scaffold
Medical subject headings
Elbow Injuries

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Collagen Scaffold (Colla-Plug)Device

    The collagen cartilage scaffold(COLTRIX® CartiRegen) used in this study consist of an injection needle, a syringe, and a collagen gel prefilled in a syringe. The collagen gel contains phosphate buffer and type Ⅰ collagen which the telopeptides are removed.. After the product is implanted in the body, it forms a degradable three-dimensional scaffold to provide an environment for cells to adhere, proliferate, migrate, differentiate and secrete, thereby promoting cartilage repair. At present, it has been commercially applied to clinical repair of knee cartilage defect.

  • microfractureProcedure or surgery

    Microfracture to repair cartilage defect is a minimally invasive procedure that is usually done arthroscopically. The doctor first cleans the damaged cartilage area, and then uses a special microfracture cone to drill vertically in the subchondral bone plate, forming multiple tiny holes, allowing mesenchymal stem cells and growth factors in the bone marrow to overflow, forming a blood clot rich in repair components, and finally stimulating fibrocartilage regeneration to fill the defect area.

Study groups in NCT07149896
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Microfracture + Collagen scaffoldExperimentalAfter performing arthroscopic microfracture (with a cone tip spacing of 2-3mm and a depth reaching the subchondral bone), the defect site is dried using a suction tube and cotton swabs. A double-chamber syringe is used to inject the collagen scaffold, which will be then shaped and cured. Afterward, physiological saline is reinfused, and the stability of the graft is assessed under arthroscopy during the full range of motion of the elbow joint.
Receives: Device: Collagen Scaffold (Colla-Plug); Procedure: microfracture
MicrofractureActive comparatorConventional arthroscopic microfracture operation is carried out, and the operation process of the experimental group is simulated by simulated drying and lavage during the operation.
Receives: Procedure: microfracture

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. MOCART(Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue) score

    The MOCART scoring system is a standardized assessment tool based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) specifically designed to quantify the morphological effects after articular cartilage repair. The scoring system uses a 100-point system (minimum score of 0, maximum score of 100), with higher scores representing better repair results. A total score of ≥75 indicates that the repaired tissue is close to normal hyaline cartilage in terms of structure, integration, and signal strength, while a score below 50 indicates poor repair effect or risk of complications. The assessment covered seven core indicators: volume filling of cartilage defects (0-20), integration with adjacent cartilage margins (0-15), repaired tissue surface structure (0-10), repaired tissue structure (0-10), repaired tissue signal intensity (0-15), subchondral bone changes (0-20), and bone quality changes (0-10).

    Measured: Preoperatively, 3rd and 6th months postoperatively

Secondary outcomes (6)
  1. Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)

    The VAS scoring system is a standardized subjective symptom assessment tool designed based on the principle of visual simulation, with a core form of a 10 cm long straight line, with a minimum score of 0 (representing no symptoms) and a maximum value of 10 (representing the most severe symptoms), with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms.

    Measured: Preoperatively, 1st week, 1st month, 3rd month, and 6th month postoperatively

  2. Mayo Elbow Performance Score(MEPS)

    The Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) is a standardized tool for quantitatively assessing elbow function, with a score ranging from 0-100 , with higher scores indicating better elbow joint function (e.g.≥, 90 points are "excellent", 75-89 points are "good", and 60-74 points are "acceptable", <60 points are "poor"). The scoring system is evaluated comprehensively through four core dimensions: 1. Pain (0-45 points): graded according to pain frequency and severity, no pain is a full score, and loss of mobility is 0 points; 2. Motor function (0-20 points): based on flexion and extension mobility (20 points are scored for 100° of motion arc≥ only 5 points are scored for 50° of <); 3. Stability (0-10 points): evaluate the degree of varus laxity (no full score for relaxation, 0 points for obvious instability); 4. Daily living ability (0-25 points): Test five actions (combing hair, eating, personal hygiene, wearing shirts, shoes), 5 points for each item.

    Measured: Preoperatively, 1st week, 1st month, 3rd month, and 6th month postoperatively

  3. Oxford Elbow Score(OES)

    The Oxford Elbow Score (OES) is a self-rated standardized instrument for assessing elbow disease or postoperative functional recovery on a scale of 0-100, with higher scores indicating better elbow function (e.g., better pain control, mobility, and quality of life). The scoring system consists of three aspects: 1. Elbow pain (4 questions, assessing pain frequency, intensity and impact on life); 2. Elbow function (4 questions, test mobility, grasp and daily activities); 3. Psychosocial impact (4 questions, focusing on social, emotional and appearance satisfaction).

    Measured: Preoperatively, 1st week, 1st month, 3rd month, and 6th month postoperatively

  4. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand(DASH)

    The DASH scoring system is a standardized self-assessment tool for quantifying the assessment of upper extremity dysfunction on a scale of 0-100, with higher scores indicating more severe upper limb dysfunction (e.g., pain, limited mobility, and more significant impact on life). The scale consists of 30 core questions covering two main areas:1. Functional disability (21 questions): Evaluate daily living ability (such as opening doors, lifting objects, writing, dressing); 2. Symptoms and social impact (9 questions): quantify pain, numbness, sleep disturbance, and social/work limitations.

    Measured: Preoperatively, 1st week, 1st month, 3rd month, and 6th month postoperatively

  5. Range of motion

    Normal mobility is the basis for maintaining daily movements, and restriction or excessive can lead to functional impairment. Elbow range of motion is divided into four directions, as follows: flexion, extension, pronation, and supination

    Measured: Preoperatively, 1st week, 1st month, 3rd month, and 6th month postoperatively

  6. Rate of Complications

    Rate of postoperative complications in each group, such as infection, hematoma, severe pain, joint adhesions, nerve damage, etc.

    Measured: Preoperatively, 1st week, 1st month, 3rd month, and 6th month postoperatively

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted2 Sep 2025
  2. Study startAug 2025 (estimated)
  3. Primary completionDec 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completionDec 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
90 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07149896
Sponsor's protocol ID
K20250509-02
Status last verified
Aug 2025
First submitted
23 Jul 2025
Last updated
2 Sep 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: This study will share the medical history and physical examination, imaging data (X-ray, CT, MRI, etc.) , functional scores, laboratory test results and complications of the two groups of patients with elbow cartilage defect.

Publications

  • Shetty AA, Kim SJ, Bilagi P, Stelzeneder D. Autologous collagen-induced chondrogenesis: single-stage arthroscopic cartilage repair technique. Orthopedics. 2013 May;36(5):e648-52. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20130426-30.

    PubMed 23672920
  • Shetty AA, Kim SJ, Shetty V, Jang JD, Huh SW, Lee DH. Autologous collagen induced chondrogenesis (ACIC: Shetty-Kim technique) - A matrix based acellular single stage arthroscopic cartilage repair technique. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2016 Jul-Sep;7(3):164-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2016.05.003. Epub 2016 Jun 14.

    PubMed 27489411
  • Kim SJ, Shetty AA, Kurian NM, Ahmed S, Shetty N, Stelzeneder D, Shin YW, Cho YJ, Lee SH. Articular cartilage repair using autologous collagen-induced chondrogenesis (ACIC): a pragmatic and cost-effective enhancement of a traditional technique. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2020 Aug;28(8):2598-2603. doi: 10.1007/s00167-020-05884-y. Epub 2020 Feb 17.

    PubMed 32064573
  • Jeong IH, Shetty AA, Kim SJ, Jang JD, Kim YJ, Chung YG, Choi NY, Liu CH. Autologous collagen-induced chondrogenesis using fibrin and atelocollagen mixture. Cells Tissues Organs. 2013;198(4):278-88. doi: 10.1159/000356488. Epub 2013 Dec 20.

    PubMed 24356241

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 3 study testing Collagen Scaffold (Colla-Plug) and microfracture in people with Cartilage Defect and Elbow Injury, run by Beijing Jishuitan Hospital at 1 site in China.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 15 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Yi Lu (86-010-57801282, luyi_sports@126.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

MOCART(Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue) score (time frame: Preoperatively, 3rd and 6th months postoperatively). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07149896, which also lists 4 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Sep 2025.

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