Reconstruction of articular cartilage defects with free periosteal grafts: An experimental study

Abstract

The chondrogenic potential of free autogenous periosteal grafts was studied histologically in 6-month-old rabbits. the grafts were taken from the tibia and transplanted to 7 × 14 mm large artificial defects of the femoral articular cartilage. the results revealed that the defects were repaired and filled after 4 weeks with a hyaline-like cartilage which was histologically similar to the cartilage adjacent to the transplant. the tissue maintained this morphology after 1 year of observation. In control animals where no periosteum was transplanted to the defect, no real cartilage was found. the tissue which partially filled the defect was a variable mixture of fibrous tissue and fibrocartilage. © 1982 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.