Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 38
SCAFFOLD CONSIDERATIONS FOR
Eric Farrell,
a,b*
Fergal J. O'Brien,
c
and Gerjo J. V. M. van Osch
a,b
a
Department of Orthopaedics, Erasmus MC University Medical
Centre Rotterdam, The Netherlands
b
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Erasmus MC University Medical
Centre Rotterdam, The Netherlands
c
Department of Anatomy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
*e.farrel@erasmusmc.nl
Osteochondral defects occur as a result of disease or acute injury
and have very poor repair potential. Current approaches are usu-
ally a temporary solution, and the final fate of the patient is
generally to undergo surgery and replacement of the joint with
a prosthetic. This chapter will discuss the tissue engineering
approaches to osteochondral repair from the perspective of the
scaffold considerations needed to develop a viable substitute to
joint replacement. Bone and cartilage are two very different tis-
sues with unique characteristics and properties. For example, the
avascular nature of cartilage compared with the highly vascular-
izedbonecreatesauniquesetofchallengesforthetissueengineer.
Mechanical properties and differences between the two tissues
alsomustbecarefullyaccountedfor.Finallythischapterdiscusses
current approaches to joint repair and postulates some potential
future options.
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