Carbon fiber as a prosthetic anterior cruciate ligament. A biochemical and histological analysis in pigs.
Connective tissue ingrowth into a carbon fiber prosthesis inserted as a substitute for the ACL was biochemically quantified in an experimental pig model with a followup of 16 weeks. During this time, the net collagen amount expressed as hydroxyproline increased to only half that of the normal control ligament. Histological studies revealed relatively few fibroblasts capable of producing collagen inside the alloplastic ligament. When these results are considered in conjunction with those of our earlier report of the disappointing mechanical strength of the carbon fiber substitutes, it seems evident that carbon fiber is not a suitable replacement for the ACL, mainly because of its failure to produce a "neoligament" before it disintegrates.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Surgical Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
S
S
Mäkisalo
P
P
Paavolainen
T
T
Holmström
K
K
Skutnabb
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism*; D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D013552:Swine
D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D002244:Carbon; D003094:Collagen