14 - Bone–tendon interface

Abstract

Works in this area can be divided on whether the objective is to build an entire composite tissue unit or whether the objective is to assist the recreation of individual interfaces, such as improving integration of autografts with surrounding bone. The administration of active compounds to promote the anchoring of the interface lies on the hypothesis that it is possible to induce local restructuration of the specific tissue in the highly organized manner of the original junction. Its application requires complex procedures and relatively long times to produce interface reorganization. Techniques involving electrospinning have been applied to bone-to-tendon junction (BTJ) regeneration. Nevertheless, electrospun constructs are inherently discontinuous. Another approach potentially successful in BTJ regeneration is gel drying. The limit of this technique is the elimination of the organic solvents from the gel, avoiding the collapse of its nanostructure. Gel drying assisted by supercritical fluids has been recently proposed to eliminate the organic solvents in a simple and effective step, avoiding the structure collapse.