After 13 weeks, there was no trace of the collagen scaffold left in the pigs' knees.

Scientific Claim

Histological examination of Yucatan minipig ACL repairs revealed no residual collagen scaffold after 13 weeks of healing.

Original Statement

“no residual collagen scaffold visualized.”

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

definitive

Can make definitive causal claims

Assessment Explanation

The claim directly quotes the study's histological observation without speculation or overgeneralization.

Collagen scaffold supplementation does not improve the functional properties of the repaired anterior cruciate ligament

Randomized Controlled Trial

Animal

2010 Jun

No contradicting evidence found

The collagen scaffold by itself didn't help heal the knee ligament in pigs—other biological factors like platelets might be needed.

90%

Under the microscope, the healed ligaments in pigs looked the same whether they had a collagen scaffold or not.

85%

The healed ligaments in pigs looked the same under the microscope whether they had a scaffold or not.

81%

Pigs with scaffold-augmented ACL repairs had the same knee movement and stability tests as those with just stitches.

79%

The scaffold didn't make the repaired ligament stronger in pigs—it broke at the same force as stitches alone.

78%