Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society
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Healing at the osteotendinous junction (OTJ) is challenging in orthopedic surgery. The present study aimed to test extracorporeal shockwave (ESW) in treatment of a delayed OTJ healing. Twenty-eight rabbits were used for establishing a delayed healing (DH) model at patella-patellar-tendon (PPT) complex after partial patellectomy for 4 weeks and then were divided into DH and ESW groups. ⋯ The accelerated osteogenesis could be explained by acceleration of endochondral ossification. In conclusion, ESW was able to induce osteogenesis at OTJ with delayed healing with enhanced endochondral ossification process and regeneration of fibrocartilage zone. These findings formed a scientific basis to potential clinical application of ESW for treatment of delayed OTJ healing.
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The objective of this article was to investigate the safety and regenerative potential of a newly developed biomimetic scaffold when applied to osteochondral defects in an animal model. A new multilayer gradient nano-composite scaffold was obtained by nucleating collagen fibrils with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. In the femoral condyles of 12 sheep, 24 osteochondral lesions were created. ⋯ Quantitative macroscopic and histological score evaluations confirmed the qualitative trends observed. The results of the present study showed that this novel osteochondral scaffold is safe and easy to use, and may represent a suitable matrix to direct and coordinate the process of bone and hyaline-like cartilage regeneration. The comparable regeneration process observed with or without autologous chondrocytes suggests that the main mode of action of the scaffold is based on the recruitment of local cells.