Medial collateral ligament replacement with a partially absorbable tissue scaffold.
The medial collateral ligaments and medial capsular structures of canines were resected and replaced with a carbon fiber-polylactic acid polymer tissue scaffold or allowed simply to "scar-in." After 4, 8, 12, and 26 weeks in vivo, the stability of the knees was quantitatively evaluated and the mechanical properties of the regrown structures determined. Histological sections of the regrown structures were examined after 26 weeks in vivo. At all time periods, the knees receiving tissue scaffold ligaments were significantly more stable than those knees allowed to stabilize with scar tissue. Initial strength, rapid ingrowth, and benign tissue reaction suggest this new composite material may be useful in the treatment of joint instability.
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001846:Bone Development; D002244:Carbon / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004285:Dogs; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011108:Polymers / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D002244:Carbon