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SYNTHETIC OSTEOCHONDRAL REPLACEMENT OF THE FEMORAL ARTICULAR SURFACE

¹ Department of Artificial Locomotive Systems, Research Centre for Biomedical Engineering
² Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-01, Japan.

Correspondence should be sent to Professor M. Oka.

We have studied damage to the tibial articular surface after replacement of the femoral surface in dogs. We inserted pairs of implants made of alumina, titanium and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel on titanium fibre mesh into the femoral condyles.

The two hard materials caused marked pathological changes in the articular cartilage and menisci, but the hydrogel composite replacement caused minimal damage. The composite osteochondral device became rapidly attached to host bone by ingrowth into the supporting mesh.

We discuss the clinical implications of the possible use of this material in articular resurfacing and joint replacement.