ENCANTO study: Innovative treatment of cartilage damage in the knee using nasal cartilage
When nasal cartilage helps against osteoarthritis
A Europe-wide clinical study is opening up new prospects for patients with cartilage damage behind the kneecap (retropatellar cartilage defects). For the first time in Austria, an innovative method is being used in which the body's own cartilage cells from the nose are used to regenerate the knee joint.
How does the “Nose2Knee” procedure work?
In this novel biological treatment for osteoarthritis, a very small piece of cartilage is removed from the nasal septum.
The cartilage cells obtained from this are multiplied under controlled laboratory conditions and then specifically transplanted into the damaged area of the knee joint. The aim is to stimulate the formation of new, endogenous cartilage tissue in order to reduce pain and improve the mobility of the knee joint in the long term.
Positive experiences from previous treatments
The procedure has already been successfully performed on more than 65 patients with isolated cartilage defects. The clinical results to date show very good tolerability and promising functional improvements.
As part of the ENCANTO study, this method is now being offered in Austria for the first time—exclusively at the Orthopedic Hospital Speising.
Treatment procedure—two steps to cartilage regeneration
The therapy is performed in two surgical steps:
1. Removal of nasal cartilage (outpatient procedure)
A small amount of cartilage is removed from the nasal septum. The external appearance and function of the nose remain unaffected.
2. Implantation of the cultured cartilage cells into the knee
After cell proliferation in the laboratory, the body's own cartilage cells are specifically inserted into the defective area in the knee.
This regenerative procedure is intended to create new, resilient cartilage tissue to relieve pain in the long term and significantly improve quality of life.
European research collaboration
The ENCANTO study is funded as part of the EU research program Horizon Europe. A total of eleven specialized centers in Europe are participating. Study participants are randomly assigned to a treatment or comparison group.
The Orthopedic Hospital Speising is currently the only clinic in Austria offering this innovative form of therapy as part of the study.
Contact & study information
Do you suffer from knee pain or have been diagnosed with cartilage damage behind the kneecap and would like to find out whether you are eligible to participate?
Study director at the Orthopedic Hospital Speising:
Prim. Priv.-Doz. DDr. Christian Albrecht
Specialist in orthopedics and traumatology
Specialist in trauma surgery
Study registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov – NCT06576583
Contact the study team:
encanto@oss.at