This study describes a new method for the repair of large articular cartilage defects in the knee joint and compares the effect of two polymer systems on the quality of the repair tissue. The two systems are a newly developed hydrophylic system, based on poly-ethyl-methacrylate (PEMA) polymer and tetra-hydro-furfuryl-methacrylate (THFMA) monomer and the conventional bone cement polymer system, based on poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) polymer and methyl-methacrylate (MMA) monomer. Thirty adult Sandy-lop rabbits were used. Both knees were operated on in each animal, the one defect received either PEMA/THFMA or conventional bone cement and the contralateral defect received no biomaterial (control group). Femora were retrieved at six weeks and the repair tissue was studied by histology, histochemistry and immuno-histochemistry. PEMA/THFMA enhanced the quality of the repair significantly (p<0.0001). By six weeks hyaline-like articular cartilage was the predominant tissue covering the defects and it was fully integrated with the surrounding normal articular cartilage. Immuno-localization showed cartilage components, including collagen type II, distributed evenly throughout its matrix. PMMA/MMA on the other hand did not improve significantly the repair tissue, which was predominately fibro-cartilaginous, poorly bonded to the adjacent normal articular cartilage. The method of implantation is simple and easily reproducible and the new polymer has been well-accepted by the rabbits.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
B. HEMMEN, C. W. ARCHER and G. BENTLEY, Trans. Orthop. Res. Soc. 16 (1991) 278.
R. J. MINNS and D. S. MUCKLE, Biomaterials 10 (1989) 273.
P. H. CORKHILL, A. S. TREVETT and B. J. TIGHE, J. Engineer. Med. 204 (1990) 147.
L. E. FREED, J. C. MARQUIS, A. NOHRIA, J. EMMANUAL, A. G. MIKOS, and R. LANGER, J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 27 (1993) 11.
N. REISSIS, S. DOWNES, M. KAYSER, D. LEE and G. BENTLEY, J. Mater. Sci. Mater. Med. 5 (1994) 402.
N. REISSIS, S. DOWNES, M. KAYSER and G. BENTLEY, J. Mater. Sci. Mater. Med. 5 (1994) 793.
G. BATCHELOR, Animal Technol. 42 (1991) 109.
G. J. PEARSON, D. C. A. PICTON, M. BRADEN and C. LONGMAN. Int. Endodontic J. 19 (1986) 121.
H. S. CHEUNG, K. L. LYNCH, R. P. JOHNSON and B. J. BREWER, Arthritis Rheum. 23 (1980) 211.
M. B. SPORN, A. ROBERTS, L. M. WAKEFIELD and R. K. ASSOIAN, Science 233 (1986) 532.
M. P. PATEL and M. BRADEN, Biomaterials 12 (1991) 653.
M. P. PATEL, M. BRADEN and K. W. M. DAVY, Biomaterials 8 (1987) 53.
K. D. OSBORN, S. B. TRIPPEL and H. J. MANKIN, J. Orthop. Res. 7 (1989) 35.
D. J. MCQUILLAN, C. J. HANDLEY, M. A. CAMPBELL, S. BOLIS, V. E. MILWAY and A. C. HERINGTON, Biochem. J. 240 (1986) 423.
P. ASH, M. J. O. FRANCIS, J. Endocrinol. 66 (1975) 71.
C. S. CARLSON, H. D. HILLEY, C. K. HERIKSON and D. J. MEUTEN, Calcif. Tissue Int. 38 (1986) 44.
M. P. PATEL and M. BRADEN, Biomaterials 12 (1991) 649.
M. BRADEN, R. L. CLARKE, G. J. PEARSON, W. CAMPBELL KEYS, Br. Dental J. 141 (1976) 269.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Reissis, N., Kayser, M., Bentley, G. et al. A hydrophylic polymer system enhanced articular cartilage regeneration in vivo . J Mater Sci: Mater Med 6, 768–772 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00134315
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00134315