Early Weight-Bearing Improves Cartilage Repair in an in vitro Model of Microfracture: Comparison of Two Mechanical Loading Regimens on Simulated Microfracture Based onFibrin Gel Scaffolds Encapsulating Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Microfracture of focal chondral defects produces fibrocartilage, which inconsistently integrates with the surrounding native tissue and possesses inferior mechanical properties compared to hyaline cartilage. Mechanical loading modulates cartilage during development, but it remains unclear how loads produced in the course of postoperative rehabilitation affect the formation of the new fibrocartilaginous tissue. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of different mechanical loading regimens simulating weight-bearing or passive motion exercises on an in vitro model of microfracture repair based on fibrin gel scaffolds encapsulating mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).OActiv