Biologic Scaffold Materials for Orthopaedic Soft Tissue Reconstruction

Abstract

Biologic scaffold materials composed of extracellular matrix (ECM) are being used for the repair and reconstruction of injured or weakened orthopaedic soft tissues, especially the rotator cuff. These ECM-based products differ in their tissue of origin, species of origin and the processing and sterilization procedures used to prepare such materials for human clinical use. These differences clearly alter the host tissue remodeling response, clinical course and clinical outcome. This chapter reviews the composition, preparation and mechanical and material properties of ECM scaffold materials. Preclinical and clinical studies, although relatively few in number, are also reviewed for the commercial products currently available for orthopaedic soft tissue surgical application.