The effect of silk short fiber biomimetic materials on the recovery of sports function in patients with meniscal injury during sports

Background In sports, especially high-intensity and high-risk activities, the meniscus is easily damaged. For patients with meniscus injuries, it is necessary to repair or replace the patient's meniscus. However, as age increases, the human meniscus tissue gradually forms and cannot be repaired through its own meniscus. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the patient's movement function through meniscus support materials. Objective Traditional meniscus support materials have poor mechanical properties and poor biocompatibility. In response to this issue, this study designed a meniscus scaffold made of silk short fibers, silk fibroin, and wool protein. Methods Through electrospinning and freeze-drying techniques, the material was processed to obtain a silk short fiber meniscus with a biomimetic structure. Results Through experiments, the surface morphology, hydrophobicity, porosity, secondary structure, thermal stability, water absorption swelling, and MP of MCS made of SSF biomimetic materials were characterized. Conclusion The experimental results show that the manufactured silk short fiber meniscus has good compressive performance, thermal stability, and water absorption and swelling properties, and it also exhibits good biocompatibility.