Regenerated soft tissue survival using repulsive force of magnetized devices: preliminary report

Large full-thickness cartilage defects in the weight-bearing area are difficult to treat. A new therapeutic strategy called the total joint regeneration (TJR) system is proposed for such large defects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the magnet-type TJR device using a rabbit model. The magnetized devices were implanted in fullthickness chondral defects on the patellofemoral joints of rabbits. The specimens and surrounding tissue were harvested 4weeks after the surgery and observed macroscopically and histologically. The thickness of the regenerated soft tissue on the femur joint surface was measured and compared. The difference between the two groups (magnetized and nonmagnetized) was significant at P