Table 3.

Synthetic biodegradable polymers commonly used in tendon/ligament regeneration

Synthetic Biomaterial	Advantages	Disadvantages
PLLA	Slow degradation rate (10 months to 4 years) [33], better cell adhesion than PGA or PLGA. Easily manufactured [7]	Acidic degradation [7]
PCL	Easily manufactured; FDA approved material [7]; (over 3 years in vivo) [67]	Very slow degradation rate [7]
PGA	Easily manufactured; FDA approved material [7]	Rapid (6–12 months) [68] and acidic degradation [7]; lack of signaling molecules [61]
PLGA	Half-life of 1.5 months [68]; Degradation rate can be tailored by changing the ratio of PLA:PGA. Easily manufactured [7]	Acidic degradation [7]
PLCL	Properties can be tailored by changing the ratio of PLA:PCL. Good biocompatibility and mechanical properties; easily manufactured [69]	Excessively elastic for tendon regeneration [69]