Engineered skin substitutes (ESSs) have been reported to close full-thickness burn wounds but are subject to loss from mechanical shear due to their deficiencies in tensile strength and elasticity. Hypothetically, if the mechanical properties of ESS matched those of native skin, losses due to shear or fracture could be reduced. To consider modifications of the composition of ESS to improve homo...

INTRODUCTION. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most commonly injured major ligament of the knee (1). There are over 300,000 annually reported ACL injuries, a majority of which are complete ruptures (2). Long term success rates of 69-90% have been reported after arthrosopically-assisted ACL reconstruction, with a majority of failures related to graft fixation and surgical error. The e...

BACKGROUND Biomechanical and histological properties of osteochondral transplantation have not been extensively examined. HYPOTHESIS Osteochondral grafts have properties similar to native articular cartilage. STUDY DESIGN Controlled laboratory study. METHODS A 2.7 mm (diameter) x 4.0 mm (depth) osteochondral defect was created in 17 New Zealand white rabbit knees. An osteochondral graft, ...

PURPOSE To compare corneal biomechanical properties following three different transplantation techniques, including Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in comparison to normal eyes. METHODS This cross-sectional comparative study included 118 eyes: 17 eyes of 17 patients received DSAEK, 23 e...

BACKGROUND Our hypothesis that multiple, equally tensioned strands of hamstring graft used for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament are stronger and stiffer than ten-millimeter patellar ligament grafts was tested biomechanically with use of tendons from cadavera. METHODS In the first part of the study, we measured the strength and stiffness of one, two, and four-strand hamstring g...

BACKGROUND The individual biomechanical strength properties of the fibular collateral ligament, popliteofibular ligament, and popliteus tendon have not been well elucidated by previous studies. To define the necessary strength requirements for a posterolateral knee reconstruction, these properties for the main individual structures of the posterolateral knee need to be defined. HYPOTHESIS The...

In anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, slow graft maturation may result in graft failure or elongation during the postoperative rehabilitation period. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent mediator of angiogenesis. The findings of recent studies suggest that VEGF application is a potential strategy to accelerate angiogenesis in the graft after ACL reconstruction. Ho...

The in-vivo study of bone graft incorporation has traditionally used a segmental diaphyseal bone defect. This model reliably produces a nonunion, but is complicated by graft instability and altered limb loading stresses. The authors discuss the advantages of a defect-in-continuity canine femur model which produces a more consistent union with fewer mechanical complications despite the absence o...

We investigated the clinical, arthroscopic and biomechanical outcome of transplanting autologous chondrocytes, cultured in atelocollagen gel, for the treatment of full-thickness defects of cartilage in 28 knees (26 patients) over a minimum period of 25 months. Transplantation eliminated locking of the knee and reduced pain and swelling in all patients. The mean Lysholm score improved significan...