A NOVEL TRI-LAYERED COLLAGEN SCAFFOLD FOR KNEE OSTEOCHONDRAL DEFECT REPAIR

BackgroundArticular cartilage has poor repair properties and poses a significant challenge in orthopaedics. Damage as a result of disease or injury frequently leads to formation of an osteochondral defect. Conventional repair methods, including allograft, autograft and microfracture, have a number of disadvantages in terms of cost, associated technical challenges and the requirement for multiple operations. A novel tri-layered scaffold developed in our lab, addresses this issue as it closely matches the structure and composition of osteochondral tissue.MethodsIn vivo assessment was carried out in a caprine model by creating 6 mm × 6 mm defects in the medial femoral condyle and lateral trochlear ridge of each joint. Defects were implanted with the tri-layered scaffold and for comparison also with a market-leading scaffold, while some of defects were left empty, acting as a control. Assessment was carried out at 3 month, 6 month and 12 month time points. The quality of the repair at the various time points ...