Histological response to carbon fibre.
The soft tissue response to carbon fibre was studied histologically one and a half years after being used to reconstruct the lateral collateral ligament of the human knee. A remarkably consistent pattern was seen in the induced ligament. The basic pattern was a "composite unit", consisting of a core of carbon fibre enveloped in a concentric manner by coherent layers of fibroblasts and collagen fibres. This new structure seemed to have been induced by continuous irritation caused by the physical structure of the carbon fibres; it is unlikely ever to acquire the structure of a natural ligament. However, it is biologically compatible and is biomechanically sufficient as long as the entire tow of carbon fibres is preserved.
D002244:Carbon / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D002244:Carbon