DEVELOPMENT OF A MENISCAL CARTILAGE REPAIR SYSTEM; IN VITRO TESTING UTILISING MENISCAL CARTILAGE CELLS, PLATELET RICH PLASMA AND COLLAGEN BASED SCAFFOLDS

Meniscal cartilage provides joint stabilisation, load distribution, impact absorption and decreased friction in joints that have a complex movement such as the knee. If the meniscal cartilage degrades or is surgically removed, there is a strong probability, over time, of damage to the articular surface. The ability to regenerate damaged meniscal cartilage with an implanted device that replaces the biological equivalent would allow for joint stabilisation, robust movement and reduce the risk of damage to the articular cartilage. An implant with many of the characteristics of meniscus and with the ability to integrate correctly and firmly with the surrounding tissue, would be advantageous.Inclusion of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) into the scaffolds to provide a concentrated source of matrix proteins and autologous growth factors may further enhance the regenerative repair process. To investigate the suitability of the collagen scaffolds, addition of meniscal chondrocytes and or PRP was examined in vitro.Human...