In order to properly repair cartilage defects, it is important that we understand the nature of these defects. Cartilage is smooth elastic tissue composed of glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, collagen fibers and elastin. It is both avascular and aneural, and protects the ends of bones at the joints. Cartilage has a very slow turnover of its extracellular matrix (ECM) and does not regenerate.

With increasing demand for biomaterials that have the ability to support wound healing, tissue engineers have been challenged to develop innovative bioactive scaffold materials. In general, bioactive materials have the mechanical properties of the tissue to be replaced while supporting biological activities such as cellular adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, and angiogenesis.

The fallout from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is not just limited to the infected individuals and, moreover, has significant influences on the patients with chronic diseases. It is estimated that 463 million adults have diabetes worldwide, and diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the most serious complications of diabetes, with a prevalence of 6.3%.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with reduced lower limb blood flow and tissue perfusion. The consequent reduction in vessel wall shear stress as well as ischemia–reperfusion injury has also been associated with systemic endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. We aimed to explore the impact of lower limb revascularization on (1) lower limb blood flow, (2) tissue perfusion, and (3) systemic endothelial function.

This is a shared position between WC FHT and the Centretown Community Health Centre (CCHC) in Ottawa. The WCFHT component of the position is at the Pembroke location and provides general chiropody treatment. The CCHC component provides wound care services in Pembroke and Barry’s Bay.