The histological appearance of carbon fibre implants and neo-ligament in man.

The results of this study indicate that a fibrous ingrowth occurs in man after surgical replacement of a tendon or ligament with carbon fibre. This ingrowth resembles normal tendon or ligament very closely, with parallel orientation of collagen fibres and fibroblasts. A multinucleate foreign-body giant-cell response was seen, but it was not possible to ascertain whether the fragmented carbon lay within or on these cells and other macrophagic components. Numerous intact carbon fibres were still present 2 and 3 years after implantation.