A Pilot Study of Photochemical Augmentation of Ligament Repair in a Swine Model- MHSRS 2024

giorgina r, monteiro j, guastaldi f, hussey m, tynan m, peretti g, randolph m, redmond r

Abstract accepted for poster presentation at the 2024 Military Health System Research Symposium

Severe ligament injuries are associated with trauma involving excessive force to the knee joint, and are common in the military. Ligaments are fundamental for the structural and functional integrity of the knee and effective strategies for surgical repair are of paramount importance for return to active duty and long-term joint health. Photochemical tissue bonding (PTB) has good potential for treating complex orthopedic conditions, PTB using light and a photoinitiator to generate crosslinks between collagen molecules to augment mechanical strength. Advantages include focal precision, a barrier to adhesion between healing and surrounding tissues, and the ability to promote healing without foreign materials or invasive mechanical devices. In cases of complete injuries, the preferred treatment is generally surgical and reconstructive. In instances of isolated and non-complete injuries, non-operative treatment is indicated. However, partial ligament injuries pose a challenge as they often do not optimally respond to conservative treatments and can lead to long-term compromise of knee stability. This study examined the application of PTB in partial ligament injuries using the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in a swine model.

Self-healing of partial ligament injuries can lead to chronic instability, increased rupture risk, and early arthritis. Improvement of partial knee ligament repair with PTB would result in better outcomes through maintaining optimal biomechanical properties.