Time evolution of in vivo articular cartilage repair induced by bone marrow stimulation and scaffold implantation in rabbits.

Purpose: Tissue engineering techniques were used to study cartilage repair over a 12-month period in a rabbit model.

Methods: A full-depth chondral defect along with subchondral bone injury were originated in the knee joint, where a biostable porous scaffold was implanted, synthesized of poly(ethyl acrylate-co-hydroxyethyl acrylate) copolymer. Morphological evolution of cartilage repair was studied 1 and 2 weeks, and 1, 3, and 12 months after implantation by histological techniques.