title: Updates in biological therapies for knee injuries: bone.
abstract: Bone is a unique tissue because of its mechanical properties, ability for self-repair, and enrollment in different metabolic processes such as calcium homeostasis and hematopoietic cell production. Bone barely tolerates deformation and tends to fail when overloaded. Fracture healing is a complex process that in particular cases is impaired. Osteoprogenitor cells proliferation, growth factors, and a sound tridimensional scaffold at fracture site are key elements for new bone formation and deposition. Mechanical stability and ample vascularity are also of great importance on providing a proper environment for bone healing. From mesenchymal stem cells delivery to custom-made synthetic scaffolds, many are the biological attempts to enhance bone healing. Impaired fracture healing represents a real burden to contemporary society. Sound basic science knowledge has contributed to newer approaches aimed to accelerate and improve the quality of bone healing.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biomecânica, Medicina e Reabilitação do Aparelho Locomotor - Hospital das Clinicas - Campus USP Av. Bandeirantes 3900 - 11o andar, 14048-900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil, kfuri@fmrp.usp.br.
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kfuri
authors.forename: Rafael Lara
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: de Freitas
authors.forename: Bruno Bellaguarda
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Batista
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salim
authors.forename: Marcello Teixeira
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Castiglia
authors.forename: Ricardo Antonio
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Tavares
authors.forename: Paulo Henrique
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Araújo