Erythrocytes inhibit ligament fibroblast proliferation in a collagen scaffold.

In this work, we hypothesized that the concentration of erythrocytes in a provisional scaffold would have a significant effect on three of the major biological processes occurring in early wound healing. ACL fibroblast proliferation, collagen production, and scaffold contraction were measured in collagen gels containing fibroblasts and erythrocytes in subphysiologic (1 × 10(8)  erythrocytes/ml), physiologic (1 × 10(9)  erythrocytes/ml), and supraphysiologic (1 × 10(10)  erythrocytes/ml) concentrations. Fibroblast-seeded gels containing only platelet-poor plasma were used as a control group.

Reduced platelet concentration does not harm PRP effectiveness for ACL repair in a porcine in vivo model.

Enhanced primary repair of the ACL using a collagen scaffold loaded with platelets has been shown to improve the functional healing of suture repair in animal models. In this study, our objectives were to determine if lowering the platelet concentration would reduce the structural properties of the repaired ACL and increase postoperative knee laxity. Eight Yucatan mini-pigs underwent bilateral suture repair.

Delay of 2 or 6 weeks adversely affects the functional outcome of augmented primary repair of the porcine anterior cruciate ligament.

Background: Enhanced primary anterior cruciate ligament repair, in which suture repair is performed in conjunction with a collagen-platelet composite to stimulate healing, is a potential new treatment option for anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Previous studies have evaluated this approach at the time of anterior cruciate ligament disruption.

Hypothesis: Delaying surgery by 2 or 6 weeks would have a significant effect on the functional outcome of the repair.

The effect of skeletal maturity on functional healing of the anterior cruciate ligament.

Background: The effects of skeletal maturity on functional ligament healing are unknown. Prior studies have suggested that ligament injuries in skeletally mature animals heal with improved mechanical properties. In this study, we hypothesized that skeletally immature animals have improved functional healing compared with skeletally mature animals.

Collagen scaffold supplementation does not improve the functional properties of the repaired anterior cruciate ligament.

Primary suture anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair was abandoned in favor of reconstruction due to a high rate of clinical failures. However, the insertion of a collagen scaffold loaded with platelets into the wound at the time of suture repair ("enhanced primary repair") has been shown to improve functional healing in animal models. Our objectives were to determine if using a collagen scaffold alone (without platelets) would be sufficient to increase the structural properties of the repaired ACL and decrease postoperative knee laxity compared to suture repair without the scaffold.