Tissue engineering: orthopedic applications

Annu Rev Biomed Eng. 1999:1:19-46. doi: 10.1146/annurev.bioeng.1.1.19.

Abstract

Because of an aging population and increased occurrence of sports-related injuries, musculoskeletal disorders have become one of the major health concerns in the United States. Current treatments, although fairly successful, do not provide the optimum therapy. These treatments typically rely on donor tissues obtained either from the patient or from another source. The former raises the issue of supply, whereas the latter poses the risk of rejection and disease transfer. This has prompted orthopedic surgeons and scientists to look for viable alternatives. In recent years, tissue engineering has gained increasing support as a method to treat orthopedic disorders. Because it uses principles of engineering, biology, and chemistry, tissue engineering may provide a more effective approach to the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders than traditional methods. This chapter presents a review of current methods and new tissue-engineering techniques for the treatment of disorders affecting bone, ligament, and cartilage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Bone and Bones
  • Cartilage
  • Humans
  • Ligaments
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / surgery
  • Orthopedics / methods*
  • Prostheses and Implants
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials