The repair of osteochondral defects in osteoarthritic rabbit knees by the use of carbon fibre.

Implants of carbon fibres and carbon fibre patches were tested for their biocompatibility in osteochondral defects in rabbits with instability induced knee osteoarthrosis. The resulting repairs were compared to control holes in which no implant was inserted. There was no apparent biodegradation when fibre bundles were implanted for periods from 2 to 18 weeks, and the carbon fibre patches appeared to induce the gross appearance of a restored joint surface, mechanically strong to loading for periods from 2 to 26 weeks. Also carbon fibre in the form of a patch promoted the healing of the osteochondral defects in osteoarthritic femora with well organised fibrous tissue over repaired subchondral bone. The use of these carbon-fibre patches is suggested as an implant material for the restoration of articular surfaces in osteoarthritis.