Gateshead rods are tiny carbon fibre rods used in the 1980s, and which were inserted into drill holes on damaged joint cartilage to encourage the passage of repair cells from the underlying bone marrow.
Cartilage repair
Carbon fibre was in vogue as an orthopaedic implant material in the 1980s, due to its strength and biocompatibility. Carbon fibre rods have largely faded into history.
Synonyms:
Pridie rods
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