Biological aspects of bone, cartilage and tendon regeneration

Excerpt

Current orthopaedic procedures in supporting regeneration of bone, cartilage and tendon are dependant on our understanding of the molecular processes responsible for tissue repair. At present we know how to regenerate bone when physiological mechanisms of fracture repair fail [13]. Since the original description of the potential of demineralised bone matrix to induce bone at an ectopic site, it has taken more than 3 decades to bring bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) to clinical use. By the end of 2007 nearly 1 million patients worldwide will have been treated with BMPs for spinal fusions, non-unions, acute fractures and maxillofacial reconstruction. Use of animal models, genomics and proteomics has deciphered new mechanisms and candidate molecules for the regeneration of joint cartilage and tendons, opening new avenues in regenerative orthopaedics. …