Abstract
Trufit resorbable scaffolds, made of semiporous copolymer, are press-fit introduced in chondral defects of articular surfaces in order to promote filling and regeneration of damaged bone and cartilage tissues. In another previous work, we have presented our good and promising results obtanied at 1 yy follow-up. Then, we have had the chance to go on on follow-ups and check patients through second-look arthroscopies and serial MRI's: IKDC score showed 38 points improvement. WOMAC score showed statistically significant pain improvement in 89% of cases and function improvement in 86% of cases. Serial MRI's of the knees showed progressive incorporation of the synthetic plugs and no adverse inflammatory reaction. Second-look arthroscopies showed complete and flush fill of the defects and their resurfacing with hyaline-like tissue under different stages of maturation.
Recently, we have been able to check, clinically and by serial MRI's, the first patients operated 24 months ago. Despite the mantainance of clinical very good results, as showed by other authors, MRI images showed a delayed biologic process of incorporation of the plugs. This finding has not to be misinterpreted as an implant failure and the post-op rehabilitation has to be continued in order to give regenerating cartilage time to complete the maturation process.
