Studies on a novel anterior cruciate ligament polyethylene fiber prosthesis:  the histomorphological pattern of organization and bony anchorage of a polyethylene fiber prosthesis in the stifle of the goat.
The anterior cruciate ligament of goats was substituted by a high-tensile polyethylene fiber prosthesis.  The animals were sacrificed after 6-12 months.  Histologically, the implants were separated from a newly formed bony shell by a thick fibrous interface membrane, which was anchored to the bone by Sharpey-like fibers.  Within the joint cavity, the implants were enclosed in thick fibrous sheaths, which were continuous with the intra-osseous interface membranes.  While the inner granulomatous layer of the interface membrane extended in between the polyethylene fibrils for a short distance, the bulk of the prosthesis was poorly organized.  A thick central fibrous band accompanied the intra-osseous and intra-articular portions of the implants throughout their entire lengths.  Oblique fibrous tracks linked the interface membranes with the central fibrous bands.  The intra-osseous tunnels were considerably expanded when compared to the initially drilled tunnels.
Boss
J H
JH
Department of Pathology, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
Shajrawi
I
I
Soudry
M
M
Anullah
J
J
Solomon
H
H
Mendes
D G
DG
D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006041:Goats; D008422:Materials Testing; D016348:Osseointegration; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants