Bone augmentation by replica-based bone formation.

Objective: The sources of iliac crest bone grafts are limited. Alternatives are evaluated due to the progress in biomaterial sciences. Synthetical hydroxyapatite (HA), ß-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) or biphasic compounds, or even a mélange of HA and ß-TCP will replace bovine ceramics.

Long-term results of reconstructing the joints' articular surface in the knee and ankle with the surgical diamond instrumentation (SDI).

Purpose: The surgical diamond instrumentation (SDI), a precise wet-grinding technology, promised contact healing of press-fit inserted bone and even hyaline cartilage, lacks medium- and long-term results. This retrospective study was conducted to identify risk factors associated with the failure of the technique and the subjective patient outcome.

Methods: All patients treated for cartilage defects of the knee or ankle joint using the SDI technology between 2000 and 2012 with a follow-up > 1 year were included.