The influence of design parameters on cortical strain distribution of a cementless titanium femoral stem

The strain distribution imposed on a femur following a total joint replacement is an important factor, in proximal bone loss due to stress shielding, and long term clinical success. This study investigated how five different design parameters of a cementless titanium femoral prosthesis influenced cortical strains. Test loads were applied and strains were measured with and without an abductor force simulation, using six human cadaveric femora. The cementless design used demonstrated significant calcar loading proximally and a similar strain distribution to the intact femur distally. Implant gross geometry was the major factor in determining the cortical strain distributions under abductor simulation in both axial and torsional loading.

Vital staining of bone in stable, retrieved femoral surface replacement prostheses: a microscopic study of undecalcified ground sections

We used vital staining with tetracycline to detect viability of bone at the bone-cement interface in 11 stable ICLH femoral surface replacement prostheses that were retrieved at revision surgery for acetabular loosening. The resected femoral heads were processed for undecalcified ground sections with the prostheses in situ. All sections showed direct bone-to-cement contacts. Bone in direct contact with or close to the cement sometimes showed an abnormal staining, indicating that the bone was not fully mineralized. Areas with fluorescence were observed within all femoral heads but never in direct bone-to-cement contact. From this study, we conclude that the mechanical stability of these cemented femoral surface replacement prostheses depends mainly on the original bone present at the time of primary operation.

Improved long-term bone-implant integration. Experiments in transgenic mice overexpressing bovine growth hormone

Several recent studies have investigated the effects of growth hormone (GH) on the healing of fractures and bone ingrowth, but with conflicting results. The negative results may be due to antibody formation against injected GH or because some experimental models are able to prove only positive GH effects. In this study, we wanted to investigate the effect of GH on implant integration in bone. To avoid potential formation of antibodies against injected GH, we used a model with transgenic mice overexpressing bovine GH (bGH). Titanium implants were inserted in the forehead of the mice. 4 months after insertion, the implants were cut out en bloc with the surrounding bone. The calcified specimens were cut and ground to a thickness of approximately 10 microns. Histomorphometry demonstrated significantly more direct bone-to-metal contact in the transgenic mice than in the nontransgenic littermates. Our findings indicate that systemic administration of GH in humans may improve implant integration in bone.