The use of carbon fiber pads in chondral injury and early osteoarthritis

Articular cartilage damage in young active individuals is a cause of pain and disability and may lead to early osteoarthritis. Methods proposed for treatment include intact cartilage grafting, osteochondral grafting, and isolated chondrocyte autografts. However, in some joints it is possible to repair the surface by stimulating the patient's repair mechanisms with techniques such as drilling and abrasion arthroplasty. The repair tissue produced by such procedures, however, is usually of inferior quality with regard to the collagen (type I and III) and the proteoglycans. The use of carbon fiber pads as a support for such repair material has proved successful, particularly for the medial femoral condyle of the knee over a period of 5.8 years. The concept of supporting the matrix of the repair material which is formed from the subchondral bone by the use of a carbon fiber matrix is valuable and may be developed by the use of other biodegradable matrices in the future.