| Resurfacing |
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Cartilage has very little capacity to repair itself and defects will eventually result in osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. The Artelon® resurfacing concept is a tissue-preserving method for the treatment of osteoarthritis.The arthritic joint surface and 1-2 millimeters of the bone are removed to induce bleeding from the cancellous bone and thereby secure the recruitment of cells into the scaffold. This method saves tissue and leaves the joint almost intact. The Artelon® implant separates the bones and resurfaces the bone, while acting as a scaffold on which cells can climb and create a new, functional articular surface. Clinical results have shown that the body starts to build a new articular surface and that Artelon® supports the formation of fibrous cartilage. In situations where stabilization is important, the implant can be designed with supporting structures to stabilize the joint. The concept of creating a new articular surface with the aid of Artelon® is general and can be used for many of the joints in the human body. The resurfacing concept is used clinically for joints in the hand and wrist, such as the carpometacarpal (CMC), the schapoid trapezial/trapezoid (STT) and the distal radioulnar (DRU) joints, as well as the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint in the foot. There is considerable future potential in extending the Spacer family to include new joints in the hands and feet but also by applying the Artelon® resurfacing concept to joints like the facet joint, which is a logical step and in line with the trend towards motion preservation in the spine.Artelon® is a registered trademark of Artimplant AB. |