Treatment of cartilage injury using a novel plug-type scaffold immersed in hyaluronic acid

The osteochondral autograft transfer system has demonstrated potential for hyaline cartilage restoration; however, donor-site morbidity remains a considerable challenge. Therefore, we aimed to develop an innovative plug-type cartilage scaffold using polyglycolic acid (PGA) and poly (L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) [P (LA/CL)], and evaluate its effectiveness in a cartilage injury model. We fabricated cartilage plugs by wrapping PGA felt with P (LA/CL) sutures combined with a P (LA/CL) sponge, and implanted the plugs into porcine knee cartilage defects to investigate their effectiveness with and without hyaluronic acid (HA). In addition to HA infiltration and release kinetics plug assessments, we performed a histological assessment of cartilage repair. The cartilage plug scaffold exhibited drug delivery capabilities, achieving 150% HA infiltration within 30 min and sustained HA release effects for over 24 h. The cartilage plugs immersed in HA exhibited a smooth surface and rich glycosaminoglycan cartilage regeneration, indicating that HA in the scaffold may enhance chondrocyte migration and the extracellular matrix. The PGA-based cartilage plug scaffold reinforced with P (LA/CL) and immersed in HA facilitated effective hyaline cartilage repair, providing a new therapeutic option for less invasive cartilage treatment.