The Doctor Peset University Hospital in Valencia has been designated by the Valencian Ministry of Health as a Reference Unit for Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation , one of the most advanced procedures in regenerative medicine for repairing cartilage lesions in the knee and ankle. This recognition, which includes an official quality seal, validates more than two decades of work by the hospital's Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology Department.
This designation marks another step forward for this Valencian hospital, which was already the only public center in Spain to routinely perform this technique. Furthermore, it has the most extensive experience in its application for ankle injuries, an area where the results have been particularly positive. With this appointment, the hospital becomes a referral center for the entire Valencian Community, facilitating the transfer of patients from other parts of the region.
A technique that uses the patient's own cells.
Autologous chondrocyte transplantation involves extracting healthy cells from the patient's own cartilage , culturing them in a laboratory, and then reimplanting them in the damaged area. Dr. José Luis Rodrigo, head of the Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology Department at Doctor Peset Hospital, explains that they have performed more than 200 transplants in young, active people with chondral and osteochondral lesions in both the knee (femoral condyle and patella) and ankle. Of all these procedures, half have been carried out using an expanded cell culture technique, which, according to Rodrigo himself, is "more effective."
The recognition as a center of excellence, the doctor adds, "adds a mark of quality" to an effort sustained over years. Indeed, the hospital has accumulated experience that has allowed it to perfect the procedure and obtain reliable results. Chondrocytes are the cells responsible for producing and maintaining cartilage, a resistant, elastic tissue capable of withstanding pressure and the thousands of movements we make when walking, running, or jumping. When an injury occurs, whether from a sports injury, a fall, or an illness, many chondrocytes are lost that the body cannot replace naturally.
This lack of natural regeneration causes the injury to persist, leading to pain, inflammation, and loss of mobility. In these cases, autologous transplantation is presented as a solution to prevent the early development of osteoarthritis , especially in young and active patients who, without treatment, could require a prosthesis in the future. However, the technique is not suitable for all cases: it is indicated for localized cartilage lesions or those that also affect the underlying bone, and is reserved for young or middle-aged individuals who are physically active and do not have advanced osteoarthritis. The size and exact location of the lesion are key factors in determining whether the patient is a candidate.
This is how surgery is performed in two stages
The procedure involves two separate surgical interventions . The first is a minimally invasive, outpatient surgery in which small samples of healthy cartilage are extracted from non-weight-bearing areas of the joint. This extraction is performed in a way that does not compromise joint function. The samples are then placed in a cell culture medium and sent to a specialized laboratory, where the chondrocytes are isolated and multiplied for approximately three weeks, until millions of cells are obtained.
Once the culture has reached the necessary number of chondrocytes, the second phase is scheduled. In this procedure, the cells are placed on a biological membrane the exact size of the lesion and fixed to the damaged area with fibrin. This substance promotes cell adhesion and allows the chondrocytes to begin generating new cartilage tissue, without the formation of internal scars that could impair movement. After this second surgery, the patient remains hospitalized for approximately 24 hours to monitor the initial healing of the graft.
Another major advantage of this technique is that, by using the patient's own cells, the risk of immune rejection is significantly reduced . Dr. Rodrigo emphasizes that the goal is for the implanted chondrocytes, over time and with a suitable rehabilitation program, to produce cartilage as similar as possible to the original. This would allow for the recovery of joint function and prevent future complications.
Following the procedure, patients must follow a progressive rehabilitation plan to regain mobility and muscle strength. This process is essential for the new cartilage to adapt to daily activities and provide a lasting result, especially in young people who wish to return to their pre-injury activity level.
The experience accumulated by the Doctor Peset Hospital in this field, together with the official support of the Ministry of Health, reinforces confidence in a procedure that has become a real alternative for those who suffer cartilage injuries in the most demanding joints of the human body.
With over two decades of experience and more than two hundred procedures performed, the Valencian center has established itself as a national leader in cartilage regeneration. Accreditation as a reference center not only recognizes the work carried out, but also opens the door for patients throughout the Valencian Community to access this technique without having to travel to other regions.
The autologous chondrocyte transplantation technique is not new, but the way it has been refined in recent years, with the introduction of expanded cell culture, has significantly improved the results. Patients who undergo this procedure are usually athletes or people with active lifestyles who have suffered an injury that does not heal on its own. Thanks to this procedure, many of them can resume their usual physical activity and avoid the limitations that premature joint degeneration would entail.
The Valencian Ministry of Health's support for this Valencian hospital represents a significant step towards the decentralization of advanced regenerative medicine treatments. The fact that a public center can offer this technology without relying on private healthcare is a benefit for patients, who will see reduced waiting times and travel. Furthermore, the designation as a reference center implies an obligation to share knowledge and facilitate the referral of complex cases from other hospitals, thus fostering the creation of a specialized network within the public healthcare system.
With this new accreditation, the Doctor Peset University Hospital positions itself at the forefront of traumatology in Spain. The journey has not been easy: it has required years of training, investment in technology, and a firm commitment to clinical research. But the results speak for themselves, and now their work has received official recognition. For Dr. Rodrigo and his team, this appointment is undoubtedly a reward for their daily efforts and a motivation to continue improving.
Therefore, the news that Doctor Peset Hospital has become the leading public center for regenerating knee and ankle cartilage through autologous chondrocyte transplantation is a significant step forward in the fight against joint pain and early-onset osteoarthritis. This technique, thanks to the collaboration between surgeons, biologists, and rehabilitation specialists, is changing the lives of many patients.
This advance in regenerative medicine demonstrates that the Spanish public healthcare system is on par with the best international centers. The combination of clinical experience, cell culture technology, and a multidisciplinary team has made it possible for a complex technique like this to be accessible to everyone. And all this comes with the added safety of knowing that the cells used are from the patient themselves, eliminating the risks associated with donor tissue and reducing postoperative complications. This is hopeful news for those suffering from cartilage injuries and seeking definitive solutions.