Abstract
Introduction
Hydroxyapatite and poly-L-lactide (HA/PLLA) composites are osteoconductive and biodegradable. They have already been used clinically to treat fractured bones by inducing osteosynthesis and serving as the bone filling material. During revision of total hip arthroplasty, we have grafted bone onto the bone defect and covered it with an HA/PLLA mesh instead of using a metal mesh on the non-load bearing portion of the cup (Figure 1). However, whether the interface between the HA/PLLA and the titanium alloy cup was stable remains unclear.
Objectives
The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the histological osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity of HA/PLLA and titanium alloy.
Methods
Semicylindrical samples (diameter: 3 mm; height: 5 mm) were fabricated from a composite unsintered-HA/PLLA containing 40% fine HA particles and from titanium alloy (Ti-6AL-4V). These two samples were combined to form one cylinder (Figure 2). Defects 3 mm in diameter were drilled into both femoral condyles of nine Japanese white rabbits, and the samples were implanted by press fitting. The rabbits were euthanized at 2, 4, 8, and 25 weeks after implantation, and undecalcified ground samples were prepared. New bone formation was examined histologically using Toluidine blue and Villanueva Goldner stains.
Results
New bone formation was observed around the sample at 4 weeks, and the amount increased by 8 weeks. In addition, partial remodeling of the trabecular bones and absorption of the HA/PLLA were found at 25 weeks. Small amounts of new bone formation were found at 4 weeks between the HA/PLLA and titanium alloy materials (Figure 3: Toluidine blue stain), and the amount increased at 8 and 25 weeks. The HA/PLLA had been slightly absorbed and new bone was formed in the gap, which was close to the border between the materials, at 25 weeks. However, the amount of absorption was limited, and no new bone was found in samples where the materials were firmly in contact.
Conclusions
HA/PLLA was only slight absorbed at 25 weeks, suggesting that it was stable in vivo and has good osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties. No new bone was found in the regions where the sample was stable and had no gaps between the HA/PLLA and titanium alloy, probably because there was no space for new bone to form in those regions. In contrast, new bone formation was found in gaps of more than 20 μm. Clinically, many gaps likely exist, allowing new bone formation to occur even in a stable implant. This may stabilize the HA/PLLA and titanium alloy materials for longer times. As expected, the HA/PLLA and titanium alloy were mostly stablein vivo.
