Carbon fiber implants in osteochondral defects of the rabbit patella.

Carbon fiber implants were used to fill osteochondral defects created on the articular surface of the patella of 36 rabbits, for the purpose of studying the long-term histological changes of the repair process. Six months after surgery the defect was filled by fibrous tissue, where the superficial area was organized parallel to the joint surface. Fibrocartilage developed after 9 months and, after 12 months, the defects were covered by hyaline cartilage tissue.