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Loading  Orthopaedic Treatment of Degraded Joints: Regeneration using Tissue Engineering Strategies versus Alloplastic Replacement Robert M. Pilliar, P. Eng., Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto
Current methods for treating severely painful osteoarthritic joints (hip and knee primarily) involve whole joint replacement primarily using metal, polymer or ceramic implant components. While highly successful for the majority of patients over the long-term, a significant number (~ 20%) develop problems requiring revision surgery after periods of 10 to 15 years. For patients in their 60s or younger this is not an ideal situation and, as such, has motivated research into developing alternate strategies for regeneration and biological replacement of joint tissues, preferably at earlier stages of degradation (i.e. prior to extensive joint breakdown). One such strategy that we have investigated during the past decade will be presented highlighting our progress to date as well as the challenges that remain for making this a viable approach for patient treatment.
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