Optimization of Osteochondral-like Implants for Joint Repair

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Osteoarthritis (OA), a disease of joints characterized by articular cartilage degradation, synovitis, and bonechanges, causes pain and impaired function and negatively impacts the acts of daily living. This disease occursbecause of trauma or underlying disease. Current treatment options are not optimal, so there is a great need fora new approach to the surgical treatment of OA. As the disease process results in changes in both cartilage andbone any attempt at repair will require replacement of both tissues. We have developed the methodology togenerate personalized osteochondral-like implants that are suitable for focal joint defect repair. It is a triphasicstructure with a hyaline cartilage layer containing a deep calcified cartilage zone that is integrated bymicromechanical interlock to a porous biodegradable bone substitute. These are anatomically shaped so arepersonalized to the individual joint. This proposal is aimed towards optimizing the design (method offabrication and taper angle) and initial fixation (cement vs adhesive) of this implant.Focal osteochondral (OC) defect repair is intended to regenerate healthy cartilage and subchondral bone tissuesthereby restoring the normal joint surface resulting in reduced pain and ability of individuals to return tonormal physical activity. Such intervention is intended to prevent continued joint degradation, which in time,can lead to the need for total joint replacement. Avoiding or postponing the need for joint replacement withsynthetic materials with their well recognized short- and long-term limitations is another major benefit of thisapproach.