[Osteointegration of an alumina matrix composite ceramic with a porous surface: mechanical and histological results of an animal experiment]

Z Orthop Unfall. 2009 Sep-Oct;147(5):603-9. doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1185623.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyse mechanically and histologically the osteointegration of porous-surfaced ceramic implants made of an alumina matrix composite (AMC) by assessing maximum shear strength and histomorphometric bone ongrowth.

Methods: The surfaces of the cylindrically shaped AMC test implants were characterised by a porosity of 40% and a pore size of 150 to 300 microm. A total of 24 test cylinders was implanted bilaterally into the femurs of 6 female adult Goettinger minipigs. 12 weeks after surgery the animals were sacrificed. 12 test implants were used for a push-out test and 12 test implants were evaluated histologically.

Results: The mean maximum shear strength of the bone-implant interface was 7.6 +/- 2.0 MPa. Direct bone attachment was found in 7.4 +/- 3.4% of the histologically analysed surfaces.

Conclusion: In summary, porous-surfaced AMC test implants demonstrated good mechanical stability in spite of a low percentage of bone ongrowth. This discrepancy could potentially be explained by bone ingrowth into the pores and subsequent interlocking mechanisms.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aluminum Oxide*
  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials*
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Equipment Failure Analysis*
  • Female
  • Femur / pathology
  • Femur / surgery
  • Hip Prosthesis*
  • Osseointegration / physiology*
  • Swine
  • Swine, Miniature

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Aluminum Oxide