Multiphasic scaffold for scapholunate interosseous ligament reconstruction: a study in the rabbit knee

Abstract

Scapholunate interosseous ligament tears are a common wrist injury in young and active patients that can lead to suboptimal outcomes after repair. This research aims to assess a multiphasic scaffold using 3D-printing for reconstruction of the dorsal scapholunate interosseous ligament. The scaffold was surgically implanted in vivo in the position of the native rabbit medial collateral ligament. Two branches of treatment were implemented in the study. In the first group, the rabbits (n=8) had the knee joint fixed in flexion for 4 weeks using 1.4mm K-wires prior to sample harvesting. The second group (n=8) had the rabbit knee joint immobilised for 4 weeks prior to K-wire removal and mobilisation for an additional 4 weeks prior to sample harvesting. Overall, samples were harvested at four week post-surgery (immobilised group) and eight weeks post-surgery (mobilised group). Mechanical tensile testing (n=5/group) and histology (n=3/group) of the constructs were conducted. Tissue integration and maturation was observed resulting in increased mechanical strength of the operated joint at 8 weeks (p<0.05). Bone and ligament tissues were regenerated in their respective compartments with structural and mechanical properties approaching those reported for the human dorsal SLIL ligament.