Experimental observation in repairing articular cartilage defects with transplanting autologous red bone marrow

OBJECTIVE?The process of morphological changes was experimentally observed in repairing articular cartilage defects with transplanting the autologous red bone marrow.?METHODS?The autologous red bone marrow was transplanted onto the 3 0?mm×6 0?mm of articular cartilage defects produced by operation in 26 cases of knee joint of Chinese rabbits, and the morphological changes of transplanted autologous red bone marrow in different stage were observed by macroscopy, light and electronic microscopy and technology of image analysis.?RESULTS?The morphology, distribution and arrangement of repaired tissues were closed to normal cartilage in the group of transplanting autologous red bone marrow and the single cell areas were reached normal level in 4th week after operation.?CONCLUSION?The transplantation of autologous red bone marrow could repair the articular cartilage defects. The process of regenerating the articular cartilage by red bone marrow is divided into performing stage of granulation tissue, pre cartilage stage and maturation stage of cartilage.