Regeneration of articular cartilage
Mobile joint surfaces can be prone to cartilage damage. There are many reasons for this including diseases such as arthritis, the ageing process or overloading due to extreme sports or accidents. These conditions usually reduce the functionality of the joint and cause severe pain, which can in turn lead to severe restrictions in mobility and disablement.
Cartilage pins made from carbon fibre (CHOPIN®) can solve these problems because they encourage biological surface regeneration in destroyed or arthritic articular cartilage zones in human joints. This regeneration has a lasting and ongoing effect.
CHOPIN® cartilage pins are inserted during arthroscopy into the joint bone.
CHOPIN® cartilage pins are inserted during arthroscopy into the joint bone.
Stem cells migrate via these cartilage pins up to the surface of the joint, similar to the wicking action of a candle, where they transform into cartilage replacement tissue – similar to hyaline cartilage – and thus completely close off the cartilage defect (arthritic defect) within a short period of time.
This procedure was able to achieve a noticeable reduction in pain, and in some cases freedom from pain, with a clear improvement in the quality of life in more than 80% of patients. Additional medical procedures (e.g., the need for a joint endoprosthesis) can be significantly delayed in most cases or even become completely superfluous!
The procedure can currently be used in the knee joint. Application in other joints is possible in principle and has already been successfully implemented.