This study evaluated the use of the demineralized bone matrix in the repair of osteochondral lesions. The articular cartilage has little regeneration capacity because of its histological features and the absence of blood vessels. Implants of tissues and culture of chondrogenic cells have been used for the treatment of osteochondral lesions, but show technical difficulties of fixation and mechanical support of the subchondral region. The demineralized bone matrix can technically facilitate the fixation of these implants because it is a firm material with elastic features. Besides having osteogenic capacity and producing subchondral bone tissue and then working as mechanical support, it also has inductor factors of chondrogenesis. Osteochondral lesions were produced in the knees of 15 rabbits and the left knees were treated with the demineralized bone matrix, and the right knees were used like control of the study. Macroscopic and histological evaluations were made with 02, 04 and 06 weeks. In the lesions treated with the demineralized bone matrix it was obtained 100% of viability of the graft and the formation of a plain regular repair tissue which filled the lesion completely with DBM. The histological analysis revealed bone neoformation and integration of the graft with the bone tissue in the subchondral region, and in superficial region of the lesion occurred the induction of the formation of chondrogenic tissue. The conclusion of this study is that the demineralized bone matrix is useful in the repair of osteochondral lesions because of its capacity of bone induction, integration to the subchondral bone tissue and induction of the formation of chondrogenic tissue. It can be used as a component of a composite graft with chondrogenic tissue or culture of chondrogenic cells for the treatment of osteochondral lesions, and can decrease the technical difficulties of fixation and support of these implants.
