Bone growth into cementless prosthetic components is compromised by osteoporosis, by any gap between the implant and the bone, by micromotion, and after the revision of failed prostheses. Recombinant human transforming growth factor-β1 (rhTGF-β1) has recently been shown to be a potent stimulator of bone healing and bone formation in various models in vivo.

We have investigated the potential of rhTGF-β1, adsorbed on to weight-loaded tricalcium phosphate (TCP) coated implants, to enhance bone ongrowth and mechanical fixation. We inserted cylindrical grit-blasted titanium alloy implants bilaterally into the weight-bearing part of the medial femoral condyles of ten skeletally mature dogs. The implants were mounted on special devices which ensured stable weight-loading during each gait cycle. All implants were initially surrounded by a 0.75 mm gap and were coated with TCP ceramic.

Each animal received two implants, one with 0.3 μg rhTGF-β1 adsorbed on the ceramic surface and the other without growth factor. Histological analysis showed that bone ongrowth was significantly increased from 22 ± 5.6% bone-implant contact in the control group to 36 ± 2.9% in the rhTGF-β stimulated group, an increase of 59%. The volume of bone in the gap was increased by 16% in rhTGF-β1-stimulated TCP-coated implants, but this difference was not significant. Mechanical push-out tests showed no difference in fixation of the implant between the two groups. Our study suggests that rhTGF-β1 adsorbed on TCP-ceramic-coated implants can enhance bone ongrowth.