| abstract |
A prosthetic, resorbable articular cartilage (10) and methods of its fabrication and insertion are disclosed. The prosthetic articular cartilage (10), when implanted in a humanoid joint, acts as a resorbable scaffold for ingrowth of native articular chondrocytes and supports natural articulating joint forces. The prosthetic articular cartilage (10) is a dry, porous, volume matrix of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibers (12). These fibers include a natural polymer or analogs thereof, at least a portion of which may be crosslinked. The matrix (12) is adapted to have an in vivo) outer surface contour substantially the same as that of natural articular cartilage in an articulating joint, and has a pore size in the approximate range of about 100 microns to about 400 microns. |