Bone Marrow Stimulation Technique Augmented by an Ultrapurified Alginate Gel Enhances Cartilage Repair in a Canine Model

Background:The optimal treatment for a medium- or large-sized cartilage lesion is still controversial. Since an ultrapurified alginate (UPAL) gel enhances cartilage repair in animal models, this material is expected to improve the efficacy of the current treatment strategies for cartilage lesions.Hypothesis:The bone marrow stimulation technique (BMST) augmented by UPAL gel can induce hyaline-like cartilage repair.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:Two cylindrical osteochondral defects were created in the patellar groove of 27 beagle dogs. A total of 108 defects were divided into 3 groups: defects without intervention (control group), defects with the BMST (microfracture group), and defects with the BMST augmented by implantation of UPAL gel (combined group). At 27 weeks postoperatively, macroscopic and histological evaluations, micro–computed tomography assessment, and mechanical testing were performed for each reparative tissue.Results:The defects in the combined group were almost fully cov...