Article
µCT analysis of a novel, cell-free osteochondral implant in the large animal model sheep – 6 and 12 month results
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Authors
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Victoria Horbert
- Waldkrankenhaus "Rudolf Elle" GmbH, AG Experimentelle Rheumatologie, Lehrstuhl für Orthopädie der FSU Jena, Eisenberg, Germany
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Long Xin
- AG Experimentelle Rheumatologie, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Lehrstuhl für Orthopädie, Waldkrankenhaus "Rudolf Elle" GmbH, Eisenberg, Germany
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Michaela Endres
- TransTissue Technologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany
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Cornelia Prinz
- DOT GmbH, Rostock , Germany
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Claudia Ortmann
- Mathys Orthopädie GmbH, Mörsdorf, Germany
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Sabine Bischoff
- Universitätsklinikum Jena, Institut für Versuchstierkunde und Tierschutz, Jena, Germany
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Thomas Vogl
- Arthrex GmbH , Karlsfeld, Germany
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Raimund Kinne
- AG Experimentelle Rheumatologie, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Lehrstuhl für Orthopädie, Waldkrankenhaus "Rudolf Elle" GmbH, Eisenberg, Germany
| Published: | October 10, 2016 |
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Outline
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Objectives: There are only limited treatment options for osteochondral defects in the knee, e.g. osteochondral autografts (OATS) or custom osteochondral implants. The problem of existing custom 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 implant with titanium as a non-resorbable bone component.
Methods: Two osteochondral defects (Ų 7 mm, 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) or covered with a novel octeochondral PGA - titanium implant (spongiosa-shaped trabeculae). After 6 and 12 months, the animals were sacrificed and a µCT analysis of the medial femur condyle was carried out.
Results and Conclusion: A numerical increase of the bone volume/total volume (BV/TV) from 6 to 12 months was observed in the bone component of the PGA-titanium implant. In comparison to a control area on the same condyle, in contrast, there was a concurrent, significant decrease of the BV/TV underneath both defects after 6 months. However, the BV/TV in this area significantly recovered to normal levels from 6 to 12 months. In addition, a significant increase of the BV/TV to normal levels was noted in the area lateral to the implant from 6 to 12 months. Interestingly, a significant increase of the BV/TV from 6 to 12 months was also detected in the empty defect group.
The PGA-titanium 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 TV/BV beneath 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 - titanium implant. Thus, osteochondral implants with a non-resorbable titanium bone component may represent an attractive option for the future therapy of osteochondral knee defects.
