An exploratory study of articular cartilage and subchondral bone reconstruction with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells combined with porous tantalum/Bio-Gide collagen membrane in osteonecrosis of the femoral head

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) results in collapse of the femoral head and rapid destruction of the hip joint. The repair of post-collapse articular cartilage and subchondral bone is challenging. We interrupted the blood supply to the femoral head and established a full-thickness articular defect animal model after ONFH was determined via X-ray. Porous tantalum and a Bio-Gide collagen membrane, co-cultured with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in vitro, were implanted into the defect zone to repair the full-thickness articular defect. Hyaline cartilage was detected on top of the tantalum near the edge of the defect 12 weeks post-operatively. Porous tantalum and a Bio-Gide collagen membrane with BMSCs may repair full-thickness articular defects if the blood supply can be reconstructed in the post-collapse stage of ONFH.