3D printing for orthopedic joint tissue engineering

Abstract

Focal cartilage defects are common and can lead to pain, functional impairment, and progression to osteoarthritis. Since cartilage has limited healing potential, the treatment of articular cartilage defects has been one of the most challenging clinical problems in orthopedic surgery. Throughout the past few decades, many new techniques have shown promise in alleviating pain in these patients and hopefully delaying the onset of osteoarthritis. However, each technique has a unique profile of indications, advantages, limitations, and long-term patient outcomes. Thus far, no treatment has been able to regenerate cartilage that has similar physiological and biological properties to that of native articular cartilage. The field of tissue engineering and 3D-printing has shown promise in creating the ideal cartilage graft to generate durable hyaline cartilage. In this chapter, we will discuss the orthopedic surgeons' approach to treating articular cartilage defects, including the available surgical techniques. We will also review the successes and shortcomings of articular cartilage engineering and 3D printing, as well as exciting developments on the horizon of cartilage engineering.