Abstract
Scapholunate interosseous ligament tears are a common wrist injury in young and active patients that can lead to suboptimal outcomes after repair. This research aims to assess a multiphasic scaffold using 3D-printing for reconstruction of the dorsal scapholunate interosseous ligament. The scaffold was surgically implanted in vivo in the position of the native rabbit medial collateral ligament. Two branches of treatment were implemented in the study. In the first group, the rabbits (n = 8) had the knee joint fixed in flexion for 4 weeks using 1.4 mm K-wires prior to sample harvesting. The second group (n = 8) had the rabbit knee joint immobilized for 4 weeks prior to K-wire removal and mobilization for an additional 4 weeks prior to sample harvesting. Overall, samples were harvested at 4 weeks post-surgery (immobilized group) and eight weeks post-surgery (mobilized group). Mechanical tensile testing (n = 5/group) and histology (n = 3/group) of the constructs were conducted. Tissue integration and maturation were observed resulting in increased mechanical strength of the operated joint at 8 weeks (P < .05). Bone and ligament tissues were regenerated in their respective compartments with structural and mechanical properties approaching those reported for the human dorsal SLIL ligament. Clinical Significance: This proof of concept study has demonstrated that the synthetic multiphasic scaffold was capable of regenerating both bone and ligament while also withstanding the physiological load once implanted in the rabbit knee. The artificial scaffold may provide an alternative to current techniques for reconstruction of scapholunate instability or other ligament injuries in the hand and wrist.
Highlights
The scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) is a C-shaped ligament located in the wrist between the scaphoid and lunate bones[1]
This report established the proof of concept that a 3D-printed medical polycaprolactone construct with distinct architectural features in the ligament and bone compartments while maintaining a porous interface that could be manufactured in a continuous manner for utilisation in SLIL regeneration
No heterotopic bone formation was present at this later time point which indicated that the multiphasic scaffold alone was capable of stimulating ossification that was restricted to the bone compartment only
Summary
The scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) is a C-shaped ligament located in the wrist between the scaphoid and lunate bones[1]. This report established the proof of concept that a 3D-printed medical polycaprolactone (mPCL) construct with distinct architectural features in the ligament and bone compartments while maintaining a porous interface that could be manufactured in a continuous manner for utilisation in SLIL regeneration This previous study demonstrated that the combination of the cell sheet technology in the ligament compartment along with the delivery of osteogenic cues (in the form of bone morphogenetic protein-2 encapsulated in a hydrogel) resulted in spatially confined and compartmentalised bone and ligament-like tissue formation, while enabling interaction of these tissues at the interface. This was achieved by implanting the multiphasic scaffold in the knee at the location of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and assessing the biological in vivo response in a biomechanically functioning joint.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
