Article
µCT analysis of osteochondral regeneration with a novel, cell-free titaniumimplant in a sheep model – 6 and 12 month results
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Published: | October 23, 2017 |
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Objectives: There are only limited treatment options for osteochondral defects in the knee, e.g.osteochondralautografts (OATS) or custom osteochondral implants. The aim of all these treatments is to restore the normal joint function of patients. The problem of existing implants (e.g. TCP) is their rapid resorption, which can lead to the collapse of initially regenerated cartilage with disastrous complications for the patients. The present study thus aimed at developing a new osteochondral PGA - titanium wurzit (WZ)implant with titanium as a non-resorbable bone component for the regeneration of osteochondraldefects in the knee.
Methods: Two osteochondral defects (Ų 7mm, depth 10 mm) were created on the load - bearing area of the right medial femur condyle of 32 merino sheep (female, 2 - 5 years old) utilizing a single - use OATS System (Arthrex). The osteochondral defects were either left uncovered (empty defect control; group 1) or covered with a novel octeochondral PGA - WZ implant (group 2). After 6 and 12 months, the animals were sacrificed and a µCT analysis (bone volume/total volume; BV/TV) of the medial femur condyle was carried out.
Results: Compared to the untouched control, there was a significantly higher BV/TV inside the PGA - WZ implant (group 2) at 12 months, with a significant increase from 6 to 12 months. Below the implant, the BV/TV showed a significant decrease at 6 months in comparison to the untouched control. In contrast, the lateral implant bed displayed significantly higher values than the control at both time points.Interestingly, a significant increase of bone formation was also detected in the empty defect group (group 1)at 12 months in comparison to 6 months.
Conclusion: The PGA-WZ implant showed good healing into the surrounding bone tissue and substantial bone formation inside the bone component of the implant. Subsequent to a significant decrease of the total bone volume below the implant after 6 months,a significant increase from 6 to 12 months underlined the therapeutic potential of defect coverage with the cell free PGA - WZ implant.Thus, osteochondral implants with a non-resorbable titanium bone component may represent an attractive option for the future therapy of osteochondral knee defects. Further analyses (histology, immunohistology) are now required to confirm the promising µCT results.