A torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee has poor healing potential, and thus, surgical reconstruction using soft tissue autografts is needed to restore knee stability. Unfortunately, these procedures have a high incidence of donor site morbidity and the progression to osteoarthritis in the long-term 1. In recent years, biological stimulation by means of growth factors and bioscaffolds has demonstrated successful early clinical results 2. Our research center has used extracellular matrix (ECM) bioscaffolds as a biological agent to improve ACL healing in a goat model 7, 8. Indeed, there was sufficient formation of neo-ACL tissue that led to up to a 30% reduction in the instability of the stifle joint by 12 weeks. Its biomechanical properties also increased by two-fold in comparison to those with suture repair alone 7, 8.

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