The use of carbon fibers to restore cartilage defects in the knee.

Research on carbon biomaterials has Bern in progress at the Warsaw Orthopedic Clinic for more than 20 years. Recently these materials have also been used in clinical practice as matrix material for repairing tissue defects in the motor organs. In this article, a new method is presented using carbon fiber to treat cartilage defects in the knee. This study describes the authors experience with carbon fibers used as scaffolds in drilled cartilage lesions to enhance the in growth of regenerative tissue. The research involved 35 patients treated for cartilage defects from December 1993 to June 1997. The average age was 46 (range 19-68), and the average follow-up was 48 months (range 24-55 months). The results were assessed by applying the HSS knee scale, the Wallgren-Tegner activity score, the VAS (visual analogue scale of pain), and the patients subjective judgment of the surgery. Good or excellent outcomes were obtained in 25 of the 35 patients (71%). The most striking aspect of the outcome was good pain relief. Early follow-ups are necessary, but the results must be confirmed in long-term observations.