Surgical implants and technologies for cartilage repair and preservation of the knee. (May 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stroh, D Alex; Johnson, Aaron J; Mont, Michael A
• Is Part Of: Expert review of medical devices. Volume 8:Number 3(2011)
• Page Start: 339
• Page End: 356
• Publication Date: 2011-05
• Subjects: allograft -- autologous chondrocyte implantation -- cartilage -- chondroplasty -- knee -- mosaicplasty; Medical instruments and apparatus -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1586/erd.11.13
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-4440

Abstract

Focal lesions of the articular cartilage of the knee can be managed with a variety of products and technologies in an attempt to restore function to the afflicted joint and forestall the need for possible total knee arthroplasty. Among these approaches are non-implant-based procedures (arthroscopic chondroplasty and microfracture), grafting procedures (autografts/mosaicplasty and allografts), cell-based procedures (autologous chondrocyte implantation) and nonbiologic implants (metallic plugs and cell-free polymers). For each clinically established procedure there are also a number of investigational variations that aim to improve the in vivo quality of the regenerated/restored cartilage surface. This article analyzes existing and developing non-implant- and graft-based technologies for the repair or restoration of the articular cartilage of the knee based on a review of the published literature.