A Novel Technique for Protecting Cartilage Repairs

Abstract

Despite the considerable progress made in the last years with conservative and surgical orthopedic treatment methods, damage to the acetabular cartilage of the hip remains a challenging clinical issue. The development of new arthroscopic techniques and the use of biomaterials shows excellent promise in the regeneration of cartilaginous damage in young patients. It often delays the onset of degenerative joint lesions by postponing the moment where the patient will require arthroplasty. The presented technique shows promising results to serve as a bioabsorbable spacer and ensure the offloading of the operated hip joint surfaces during the postoperative period that is needed for the restoration of the cartilage and as a support of the biological scaffolds.