Effects of calcium phosphate ceramic surface coatings on cell attachment and spreading

The current treatments of choice for relatively large articular cartilage defects are: microfracture for younger patients and total joint replacement for older patients. Microfracture and similar drilling treatments are undesirable since exposure to blood has been shown to cause cartilage damage and results in the formation of a scar-like tissue with poor mechanical properties. Total joint replacement requires extensive bone resection and results in loss of proprioception and an extended recovery time. Implantable cartilage covered scaffolds, for joint resurfacing, will provide a viable alternative treatment. They will require the use of cells that can be collected from patients and grown into tissues on a scaffold. Understanding cell proliferation and tissue formation on scaffold surfaces is essential in the design of a working scaffold system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of several calcium phosphate ceramics (CPC) as surface coatings to direct tissue formation on scaffolds.