Maturation-dependent repair of untreated osteochondral defects in the rabbit knee joint.

摘要: Repair of untreated full-thickness cartilage defects in the medial femoral knee condyle was studied 17 young, 21 adolescent, and 19 adult rabbits. At 6 weeks, defect completely filled by tissue regeneration all young adolescent animals, but only few adults (p < 0.05). The morphology repairs improved from fibrous to hyaline-like over time 0.05), at 3 repair rabbits more cartilage-like than In addition, bonding adjacent better animals 12 subchondral bone had formed some repairs, no case adults. None showed normal appearance, formation common weeks. Irrespective age or observation time, site decreased stiffness larger strain values compared control 0.001) with tendency for improvement time. Younger a faster filling an earlier specialization mechanical quality regenerated remained inferior normal.