Studies on a novel anterior cruciate ligament polyethylene fiber prosthesis: The histomorphological pattern of organization and bony anchorage of a polyethylene fiber prosthesis in the stifle of the goat

The anterior cruciate ligament of goats was substituted by a high-tensile polyethylene fiber prosthesis. The animals were sacrificed after 6–12 months. Histologically, the implants were separated from a newly formed bony shell by a thick fibrous interface membrane, which was anchored to the bone by Sharpey-like fibers. Within the joint cavity, the implants were enclosed in thick fibrous sheaths, which were continuous with the intra-osseous interface membranes. While the inner granulomatous layer of the interface membrane extended inbetween the polyethylene fibrils for a short distance, the bulk of the prosthesis was poorly organized. A thick central fibrous band accompanied the intra-osseous and intra-articular portions of the implants throughout their entire lengths. Oblique fibrous tracks linked the interface membranes with the central fibrous bands. The intra-osseous tunnels were considerably expanded when compared to the initially drilled tunnels.