Figure 1.

The objective of the present study was to investigate a synthetic bilayer scaffold for the regeneration of osteochondral tissue and repair of large osteochondral defects in a sheep model. We hypothesized that a biomimetic, biodegradable implant comprising f a macroporous PCL scaffold mimicking cancellous bone ECM in combination with a nanofibrous PCL scaffold mimicking cartilage ECM layered on top would create appropriate regenerative conditions for both the chondral and osseous portions of the defect. Combined they might function as an anatomically shaped implant (synthetic implant: Treatment No. 2). The combination of Chondro-Gide and Orthoss functioned as a clinically established control (biologic implant: Treatment No. 1). PCL = poly-ε-caprolactone; ECM = extracellular matrix.