Acta Orthop

Billings E., von Schroeder H.P., Mai M.T., Aratow M., Amiel D., Woo SL-Y., Coutts R.D.


A full-thickness articular-cartilage defect was created in the medial femoral condyles of 32 adult rabbits. The defects were filled with demineralized bone or a composite of demineralized bone and perichondrium. Results of cartilage repair were assessed after 12 weeks of implantation. We conclude that demineralized bone matrix used as a subchondral matrix in a cartilage repair model 1) stimulates and induces subchondral bone ingrowth, 2) provides a surface on which cartilage repair can proceed, and 3) can be utilized as a platform on which perichondruim can be fixed to provide a cellular source for cartilage repair. Repair tissue that developed from perichondrium was thicker, more closely resembled normal articular cartilage, and was of less fibrous nature than the repair tissue that developed de novo on the demineralized bone matrix.