Using Chitins for Cartilage Repair
Another interesting approach to cartilage repair is to take advantage of the biologic
similairy between chitin, part of the exoskeleton of lobsters and crabs, and chondriotin sulfate, part of the human cartilage matrix. The chemical similarities are closer than you might think. BioSyntech, (www.biosyntech.com) in Canada, is conducting a trial where the chitosan chemical is bound to a small blood clot and "sticks" into the cartilage lesion. The cartilage is also microfractured at the same time. The idea is to help the stem cells in the bone marrow stick to the cartilage defect and, hopefully, turn into some sort of cover resembling natural cartilage. A nice study has been done in sheep showing some promise for this technique.
posted by Dr. Norman A. Marcus, MD @ 2:31 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
I read about biosyntech's trial product through thekneeguru website and read somewhere that drilling too deep into the subchrondal bone may render the microfracture less effective in the long run and destablize the underlying bone structure.
Lots of opinions about microfracture; including the problem of going too deep, or not deep enough, when the "calicified Cartilage layer" is removed. I have certainly seen bone islands form from this procedure, and then it become debateable what is "technique related" or not.
Does this chitin stuff really work? I hear it from crabs..
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