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Mechanical bone strength of the tibial resection surface at increasing distance from the joint line in total knee arthroplasty.

Few articles have addressed the bone strength of the proximal tibia. This study attempts to quantify the compressive strength of bone in the proximal tibia of human cadaveric knees at increasing distance from the joint surface. Sixteen fresh-frozen human cadaveric knees were tested. The proximal tibia was sequentially sectioned into 1-cm slices, starting 2 mm below the chondral surface of the medial tibial plateau. Four slices were obtained from each knee. Each slice was then loaded to failure under an axial load. The proximal slice of bone had a significantly higher average maximum load to failure than the more distal slices. The second, third, and fourth slices of bone withstood 77%, 61%, and 73% of the average load of the proximal slice, respectively. This study was designed to simulate how the proximal tibia is loaded under an uncemented tibial base plate after total knee arthroplasty. The results are in agreement with previous studies that have shown the proximal 1 cm of tibial bone to have the highest resistance to compressive loads. Previous studies on the bone strength of the proximal tibia have focused on more proximal portions of bone than the current study. This study demonstrates that the load to failure of tibial resection surface decreases significantly with increasing distance from the joint line until the 4th cm of bone beneath the joint line is encountered. This information may play a role in surgical decision making and implant design.

Aged↗

Mechanical properties of calcium phosphate based dental filling and regeneration materials.

The objective of this study was to compare the mechanical properties of calcium phosphate cements (CPC) for possible dental applications with varied liquid and powder compositions under the same testing condition. Cements studied in this experiment were divided into two groups of CPC not containing polymer and polymeric CPC (PCPC). Cement powder was formed by combining equimolar amounts of dicalcium phosphate anhydrous and tetracalcium phosphate, or acrylic resin polymer powder mixture. The CPC specimens for the compressive strength (CS) and diametral tensile strength (DTS) measurements were prepared by mixing powder and liquid for 30 s with a powder/liquid ratio of 3:1, and subsequently packing the paste into a brass mould. The specimens were kept at 37 degrees C and 100% relative humidity for 24 h before measurements were conducted on a Universal Testing Machine with a cross-head speed of 1 mm min-1. The CS of CPC was 0.14-10.29 MPa and that of PCPC was 0.26-117.58 MPa. The DTS of CPC was 0.10-4.56 MPa and that of PCPC was 0.07-22.54 MPa. The CS and DTS were very diverse depending on the composition of powder and liquid. Some compositions showed higher values than commercial liners. Thus compositions of 2% carboxymethyl cellulose + 35% citric acid in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), 20% gelatin in PBS, 2% sodium alginate in PBS, 20-40% aqueous acrylic-maleic copolymer solution, and some of the HPMC and PMVE-Ma solutions exhibited promising formulae for dentine regenerating materials. Acrylic resin-PCPC group showed generally higher CS and DTS values. Based on this study, further studies on the reaction with odontoblast and resultant dentine regeneration should be performed using promising compositions.

Acrylic Resins↗

Cyclosilicate nanocomposite: a novel resorbable bioactive tissue engineering scaffold for BMP and bone-marrow cell delivery.

Porous bioactive resorbable silica-calcium phosphate nanocomposite (SCPC) was prepared by a sintering technique. XRD analyses showed that the main crystalline phases of the SCPC are Na(3)CaPSiO(7) (clinophosinaite), beta-NaCaPO(4) (rhenanite), Na(2)CaSiO(4), and beta-quartz (SiO(2)). The clinophosinaite is a novel cyclosilicate bioactive mineral that enhanced the mechanical and bioactivity properties of the SCPC. TEM analysis showed that the grain sizes of the multiphase SCPC are in the nanometer scale. Moreover, the SCPC was engineered with nano- and microscale porosity. The SCPC had significantly higher compressive strength than porous hydroxyapatite (HA). FTIR analyses revealed the formation of biological hydroxyapatite layer on the SCPC surface after 4 days of immersion in SBF. When SCPC was loaded with rhBMP-2, it provided a superior release profile of biologically active rhBMP-2 compared to porous HA. Bone-marrow cells incubated with medium treated with the rhBMP-2 released from the SCPC-rhBMP-2 hybrid expressed significantly higher alkaline phosphatase activity than that expressed by cells incubated with media treated with rhBMP-2 released from HA-rhBMP-2. In addition, cells attached to the SCPC-rhBMP-2 hybrid produced mineralized extracellular matrix (ECM) and bone-like tissue that covered the material surface and filled pores in the entire thickness of the template after 3 weeks in culture. In contrary, cells attached to the HA-rhBMP-2 produced limited amount of unmineralized ECM after the same time period. Results of the study strongly suggest that the porous bioactive silica-calcium phosphate nanocomposite can serve as a delivery system for cells and biological molecules. The SCPC-rhBMP-2-marrow cell hybrid may serve as an alternative to autologous bone grafting.

Absorption↗

Viscoelastic behavior and fracture toughness of six glass-ionomer cements.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Viscoelastic behavior can influence the fracture properties of glass ionomers, which is of clinical relevance. Glass-ionomer cements can display viscoelastic behavior, defined as having displacement rate- or strain rate-dependent mechanical properties. Understanding and describing the viscoelastic behavior of glass ionomers is important to understanding their clinical behavior. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the viscoelastic behavior of 6 glass-ionomer cements and determine whether there was a correlation to fracture toughness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three conventional glass-ionomer cements (alpha-Silver, alpha-Fil, and Ketac-Molar) and 3 resin-modified glass-ionomer cements (Vitremer, Fuji II LC, and Photac-Fil Quick) were evaluated using measurements of compressive strength (CS), flexural strength (FS), and diametral tensile strength (DTS) at displacement rates of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm/min. The CS and DTS specimens were cured in glass tubes and cut to 4 x 6-mm and 4 x 2-mm disk-shaped specimens, respectively. The FS specimens were cured in bar molds (2 x 2 x 15 mm). The fracture toughness (FT) specimens were cured in a minicompact mold to obtain precracked specimens. The mechanical testing results were compared statistically using generalized linear model/analysis of covariance and the Ryan-Einot-Gabriel-Welsch multiple range test at the alpha=.05 level. RESULTS: For all 3 mechanical properties, there was a displacement-rate dependence on the mechanical property. However, there were no differences in the displacement-rate dependence based on the type of material-conventional glass ionomer or resin-modified glass ionomer-for any of the mechanical properties. Only for FS test was there a significant difference based on the brand of material. There was no statistical difference in FT among the glass-ionomer cements tested, although the resin-modified glass ionomers tended to display higher FT. CONCLUSION: A larger sample size and a much wider range of crosshead speeds are necessary to support a correlation between viscoelastic behavior and FT.

Analysis of Variance↗

Evaluation of an in situ setting injectable calcium phosphate as a new carrier material for gentamicin in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis: studies in vitro and in vivo.

A study was performed to investigate the effectiveness of hydroxyapatite cement (HAC) as a new carrier system in the treatment of chronic, posttraumatic osteomyelitis. In the in vitro study, release of gentamicin from standard cylinders of HAC were measured by agar diffusion test. As a representative for mechanical properties, compression strength was measured in order to detect changes when mixing HAC with gentamicin. In the in vivo study, bone infection was induced according to the model of Norden by injection of 1 ml Na-morrhuat and 3 x 10(6)CFU Staphylococcus aureus. After 3 weeks, when chronic stage of infection was obtained, 17 animals were treated by debridement and filling the marrow either with HAC alone or HAC mixed with gentamicin (32 mg/g). Animals of the control groups were left untreated. After 6 weeks, all animals were sacrificed. Hematological, radiological, microbiological and histological examinations were carried out by covered investigation. Best evidence of the efficiency of treatment was observed in histopathological and microbiological findings. In all swabs of the control groups, taken 6 weeks following infection S. aureus were detected which were clonal to the strain used for induction of osteomyelitis. In HAC/gentamicin-treated animals, no growth was detectable after 7 days of culturing in BHI bouillon. In the HAC/gentamicin-treated group, there was no histopathological evidence of infection. In all other groups different stages of chronic osteomyelitis were found. No side effect was observed, neither locally nor systemically by HAC or gentamicin. Therefore, HAC is considered to be a very effective carrier for antibiotics in treatment of chronic, posttraumatic osteomyelitis.

Animals↗

Polyester scaffolds with bimodal pore size distribution for tissue engineering.

This paper presents a method for the preparation of porous poly(L-lactide)/poly[(L-lactide)-co-glycolide] scaffolds for tissue engineering. Scaffolds were prepared by a mold pressing-salt leaching technique from structured microparticles. The total porosity was in the range 70-85%. The pore size distribution was bimodal. Large pores, susceptible for osteoblasts growth and proliferation had the dimensions 50-400 microm. Small pores, dedicated to the diffusion of nutrients or/and metabolites of bone forming cells, as well as the products of hydrolysis of polyesters from the walls of the scaffold, had sizes in the range 2 nm-5 microm. The scaffolds had good mechanical strength (compressive modulus equal to 41 MPa and a strength of 1.64 MPa for 74% porosity). Scaffolds were tested in vitro with human osteoblast-like cells (MG-63). It was found that the viability of cells seeded within the scaffolds obtained using the mold pressing-salt leaching technique from structured microparticles was better when compared to cells cultured in scaffolds obtained by traditional methods. After 34 d of culture, cells within the tested scaffolds were organized in a tissue-like structure. Photos of section of macro- and mesoporous PLLA/PLGA scaffold containing 50 wt.-% of PLGA microspheres after 34 d of culture. Dark spots mark MG-63 cells, white areas belong to the scaffold. The specimen was stained with haematoxylin/eosin. Bar = 100 microm.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

[Compressive and bend strength of experimental admixed high copper alloys].

Mixed alloys for dental amalgams have been used mainly in the form of admixed alloys, where eutectic spheres are blend with conventional flakes. In the present study the compressive strength, bend strength and microstructure of two high-copper alloys (Tytin, Ana-2000) is compared with three experimental alloys prepared of the two high copper by mixing them in proportions of 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3 by weight. The results revealed that experimental alloys inherited high early and final strength values without any significant change in their microstructure.

Copper↗

PMMA-based composite materials with reactive ceramic fillers: IV. Radiopacifying particles embedded in PMMA beads for acrylic bone cements.

New acrylic bone cements were prepared from alumina particles previously treated by 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylmethacrylate (gamma-MPS) and embedded in poly(methylmethacrylate-co-ethylacrylate) beads with about 7 mol% of ethyl acrylate repeating units. The encapsulation was performed through a conventional suspension polymerization process. The influence of (i) the concentration of the dispersion stabilizer and (ii) the alumina content upon the shape, size, and size distribution of the acrylic beads was studied. Cements were prepared from each batch by hand-mixing alumina-filled acrylic beads with a liquid monomer mixture containing methyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, and N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine. Benzoyl peroxide was previously added to the solid part. The powder-to-liquid ratio was equal to 2 for each formulation. Compressive strength of cured cement decreases with alumina content, whereas compressive modulus remains roughly constant. These results are in contradiction to those obtained for cements based on a mixture of gamma-MPS-treated alumina and unfilled acrylic beads. Nevertheless, they are interpreted in terms of alumina arrangement in the cement. In the first case, alumina particles contribute to the reinforcement of the dispersed acrylic phase, with poor benefits for the whole materials. In the second case, they allow the reinforcement of the continuous acrylic phase and, therefore, the cement's one.

Acrylates↗

Effect of 16 months of treatment with tibolone on bone mass, turnover, and biomechanical quality in mature ovariectomized rats.

Tibolone (Org OD14) is a tissue-specific steroid with estrogenic effects on the bone and vagina but not endometrium or breast and has been shown to prevent ovariectomy-induced bone loss in young and old rats. We evaluated the effect of long-term tibolone treatment on bone parameters in mature ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Six-month-old rats were allotted to one of six groups (n = 8). Sham-operated and control OVX groups received vehicle, whereas other groups (all OVX) received tibolone (125, 250, or 500 microg/day orally) or 17alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE; 24 microg/day orally) for 16 months. Treatment with tibolone prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss in peripheral (femur and tibia) and axial (L1-L2 and L4) skeleton. In peripheral skeleton, tibolone and EE prevented loss of bone mass and quality to a similar extent. Tibolone dose-dependently inhibited trabecular bone volume loss in L1-L2 and tibia, and at 500 microg/day it inhibited 88% of L1-L2 and 55% of tibial volume loss (p < or = 0.05 in each case). Tibolone, 500 microg, resulted in 10% greater cortical strength of femur (p < or = 0.05) and 60% greater compressive strength of L4 (p < or = 0.05) compared with vehicle-treated OVX rats. Tibolone and EE inhibited bone resorption and turnover, assessed by urinary deoxypyridinoline/ creatinine and plasma osteocalcin, respectively. We conclude that 16 months of tibolone treatment prevents ovariectomy-induced deterioration of axial and peripheral skeleton and preserves cortical and trabecular bone strength by reducing bone resorption.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Effects of fat admixture on the strengths of conventional and low-viscosity bone cements.

The diametral tensile and compressive strengths of both conventional doughy and low-viscosity (LVC) bone cements were tested with sequential admixtures of up to 50% (by weight) liquified fat. The addition of as little as 5% (by weight) fat caused a significant reduction (p = 0.05) in the strengths of both cements. The LVC appeared to be affected to a greater degree by fat contaminations than did the conventional cement, although the strengths of the LVC were generally equal to or higher than those of the conventional cement. The enhanced effect of fat contamination on the LVC was thought to be due to the more fluid, tacky nature of this material during administration.

Animals↗

Biomechanical evaluation of an injectable calcium phosphate cement for vertebroplasty.

STUDY DESIGN: Destructive biomechanical tests using fresh cadaveric thoracolumbar vertebral bodies. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the compression strength of human vertebral bodies injected with a new calcium phosphate (CaP) cement with improved infiltration properties for augmentation of the vertebral bodies before compression fracture and also for vertebroplasty in comparison with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) injection. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Vertebroplasty is the percutaneous injection of PMMA cement into the vertebral body. While PMMA has high mechanical strength, it cures fast and thus allows only a short handling time. Other potential problems of using PMMA injection may include damage to surrounding tissues by a high polymerization temperature or by the unreacted toxic monomer, and the lack of long-term biocompatibility. Bone mineral cements, such as calcium carbonate and CaP cements, have longer working time and low thermal effect. They are also biodegradable while having a good mechanical strength. However, the viscosity of injectable mineral cements is high, and the infiltration of these cements into vertebral body has been questioned. Recently, the infiltration properties of a CaP cement have been significantly improved, which is ideal for the transpedicular injection to the vertebral bodies for vertebroplasty or augmentation of osteoporotic vertebral body strength. METHODS: The bone mineral densities of 30 vertebral bodies (T2-L1) were measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Ten control specimens were compressed at a loading rate of 15 mm/min to 50% of their original height. The other specimens had 6 mL of PMMA (n = 10) or the new CaP (n = 10) cement injected through the bilateral pedicle approach before being loaded in compression. Additionally, after the control specimens had been compressed, they were injected with either CaP (n = 5) or PMMA (n = 5) cement using the same technique, to simulate vertebroplasty. Loading experiments were repeated with the displacement control of 50% vertebral height. Load to failure was compared among groups and analyzed using analysis of variance. RESULTS: Mean bone mineral densities of all five groups were similar and ranged from 0.56 to 0.89 g/cm2. The size of the vertebral body and the amount of cement injected were similar in all groups. Load to failure values for PMMA, the new CaP, and vertebroplasty PMMA were significantly greater than that of control. Load to failure of the vertebroplasty CaP group was higher than control but not statistically significant. The mean stiffness of the vertebroplasty CaP group was significantly smaller than control, PMMA, and the new CaP groups. The mean height gains after injection of the new CaP and PMMA cements for vertebroplasty were minimal (3.56% and 2.01%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Results of this study demonstrated that the new CaP cement can be injected and infiltrates easily into the vertebral body. It was also found that injection of the new CaP cement can improve the strength of a fractured vertebral body to at least the level of its intact strength. Thus, the new CaP cement may be a good alternative to PMMA cement for vertebroplasty, although further in vivo animal and clinical studies should be done. Furthermore, the new CaP may be more effective in augmenting the strength of osteoporotic vertebral bodies for preventing compression fractures considering our biomechanical testing data and the known potential for biodegradability of the new CaP cement.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Novel injectable and in situ curable glycolide/lactide based biodegradable polymer resins and composites.

Novel in situ polymerizable liquid three-arm biodegradable oligomeric polyesters based upon glycolic acid (GA), L-lactic acid (LLA), and their copolymers are synthesized and characterized. Injectable and in situ curable polymer neat resins and their composites formulated with bioabsorbable beta-tricalcium phosphate are prepared at room temperature using photo- and redox-initiation systems, respectively. The cured neat resins show the initial compressive yield strength (YCS, MPa), modulus (M, MPa), ultimate compressive strength (UCS, MPa), and toughness (T, kN mm), ranging from 4.0 to 20.1, 201.5 to 730.2, 82.7 to 310.5, and 1.02 to 3.93. The cured composites show the initial YCS, M, UCS and T, ranging from 27.7 to 56.4, 1440 to 4870, 81.6 to 158.9, and 0.94 to 1.97. Increasing GA/LLA ratio increases all the initial compressive strengths of both neat resins and composites. Increasing filler content increases YCS and M but decreases UCS and T. A diametral tensile strength test shows the same trend as a compressive strength test. There seems to be an optimal flexural strength for the composite at the filler content around 43%. An increasing molar ratio increases curing time but decreases the degree of conversion (DC). An increasing filler content increases curing time but decreases exotherm and DC. During the course of degradation, all the materials show a burst degradation behavior within 24 h, followed by an increase in CS. The poly(glycolic acid) neat resin completely loses its strength at around Day 45. The composites completely lose their strengths at different time intervals, depending on their molar ratio and filler content. The degradation rate is found to be molar ratio and filler-content dependent.

Absorbable Implants↗

The strength of auto-cured and light-cured materials. The shear punch test.

This paper examines the versatility of the shear punch test as described by Roydhouse and suggests that it should be considered as an alternative to the present standard compressive strength test for glass ionomer cements and flexural strength for composite resins. The shear punch test can be used for examining small thin specimens, about 1.0 mm thick and 8.0 mm in diameter, of both auto-cured and light-cured restorative materials such as composite resins and glass ionomer cements. The preparation of the specimen is simple and does not require a precision mould or subsequent machining to size except that, after curing, it may need to be abraded gently to obtain flat parallel test surfaces. The test apparatus consists of a punch approximately 3.0 mm in diameter opposing a true fitting matching die. The specimen is supported over the die section and the punch is advanced through it in a compression cage. The formula used to calculate the shear strength allows for variation in specimen thickness and thus provides comparative data between materials. It also allows examination of the effects of variations in manipulation, maturation and storage of each material. It is suggested this test should be considered as an alternative to the present compression and flexural strength tests because it would provide a single strength test for a range of restorative materials being manipulated under a variety of circumstances. It is of particular significance for testing the light-cured materials because it examines a specimen size below that of the diameter of the exit window of a normal clinical light curing unit and also at a thickness where depth of cure of the material is not a problem.

Composite Resins↗

Long-term compressive property durability of carbon fibre-reinforced polyetheretherketone composite in physiological saline.

In total hip arthroplasty, concerns such as corrosion and stress shielding associated with stiff metallic femoral components have led to the development of low stiffness advanced fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite femoral components. Carbon fibre-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CF/PEEK) composite material is now one of the primary material systems being considered for composite hip stem development. As a hip stem, a composite material must be able to support a complex state of stress in the in vivo environment without failure. Considering the loading conditions of a hip stem (superimposed compression and bending), and the fact that FRP composites typically possess lower compressive than tensile strength, the compressive behaviour of FRP composites becomes very important for femoral component design. This paper presents an investigation of the long-term durability of 0 degree and 90 degrees compressive strengths of CF/PEEK composite following physiological saline saturation. 0 degree and 90 degrees compressive moduli and Poisson ratio (v12) properties are also reported. Samples were tested following conditioning in physiological saline at 37, 65 and 95 degrees C for time periods from 0 to 5000 h. Dry samples were tested as controls. Results show no significant loss in compressive property values of the saline-saturated or the dry control samples as a function of conditioning time or temperature.

Benzophenones↗

Effect of die material hue and value on polymerization of indirect resin inlays.

This study investigated the effects of hue and value of mold materials on the polymerization of resin composite inlays fabricated by an indirect process. Three colors of molds were used, and 10 specimens each of three resin composite materials were light polymerized on each of the die materials for each test. The specimens were postirradiation heat polymerized. Compressive strength, flexural strength, Knoop hardness, and bond strength to enamel and dentin were measured. Although differences in properties between specimens polymerized on different die materials were not always significant, the values obtained from the white mold were highest in all tests followed by those obtained on the gray and then the black molds. Correlations (r2) between lightness or value and compressive and flexural strength, hardness, and bond to enamel and dentin values were greater than 0.90. Die color and value appear to be important factors influencing the properties of indirect resin composite inlays even though they are heat polymerized after light activation.

Analysis of Variance↗

Mechanical properties of the femur after injection of calcium phosphate cement containing arbekacin sulfate and polylactic acid in a rat model of experimental osteoporosis.

We developed a calcium phosphate cement containing arbekacin sulfate and polylactic acid (CPC95AP) and examined its effects on bone strength by injecting the CPC95AP into the femoral medullary cavity in model rats with osteoporosis. Favorable cortical bone strength was maintained for more than 6 months when CPC95AP was injected into the femoral cavities. This phenomenon was more significant in the weakened femur of osteoporotic rats. The reasons for the increased bone strength are thought to be that the CPC95AP filling increased the geometric moment of inertia and that the binding of CPC95AP with the bones increased Young's modulus. The most important factor is believed to be the increased Young's modulus. The binding of CPC95AP with the bones after filling the femur cavities compensates for the weak extensional strength of CPC95AP, and provides an opportunity to utilize the compressive strength, which is the advantage of CPC95. CPC95AP has antibiotic properties and biocompatibility, and it increases the mechanical strength of the weakened bone; therefore, it is considered useful in bone filling and stiffening.

Aminoglycosides↗

The steroidal aromatase inhibitor exemestane prevents bone loss in ovariectomized rats.

The irreversible steroidal aromatase inhibitor exemestane (EXE) is one of three third generation aromatase inhibitors currently prescribed for advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Its principal mechanism of action is to reduce estrogen by inhibiting its synthesis. In addition to its efficacy against breast cancer, its effects on other organs are important, especially when given to women with good-prognosis breast cancer or potentially to healthy women at increased risk of developing breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of EXE on bone and lipid metabolism in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Ten-month-old Sprague-Dawley female rats were sorted into intact controls, intact + EXE, OVX controls, and OVX + EXE groups, and treated by weekly intramuscular injection with vehicle or 100 mg/kg EXE for 16 weeks. The bone mineral density (BMD), mechanical testing, histomorphometry, bone resorption marker-serum pyridinoline (PYD), and bone formation marker-serum osteocalcin (OC) were used to determine the effects of treatment on bone. In addition, total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were determined. BMD of the lumbar spine and femur were 11% and 7%, respectively, higher in OVX animals given EXE than in OVX controls (all Ps<0.001). Significant increases in the bending strength and toughness of the femora as well as the compressive strength and elastic modulus of the vertebrae were observed in OVX rats given EXE (all Ps<0.02 vs. OVX controls). Trabecular bone volume (BV) was significantly higher in OVX rats treated with EXE than in OVX controls (P<0.0001). In OVX animals, EXE reduced the OVX-induced increase of serum PYD by 96% (P<0.0001), and the OVX-induced increase of serum OC was completely prevented by treatment with EXE. In OVX animals, EXE resulted in a 28% reduction of serum cholesterol (P<0.0001) and reduced LDL by 64% compared with OVX controls (P<0.0001). The positive results of EXE on bone and lipid metabolism in the OVX rat model merit further investigation of the effects of EXE in postmenopausal women.

Androstadienes↗

Compressive behavior of human bone-cement composites.

Current surgical practice in the implantation of cemented total joint arthroplasties generally creates a zone of variable thickness in which polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is intermixed with trabecular bone. The authors' objectives in these experiments were to characterize the compressive mechanical properties of this bone-cement composite material. They found that the mechanical properties of bone-cement composite specimens, fabricated under in vitro conditions that would promote nearly complete cement filling, are closer to the properties of trabecular bone than to those of cement. For both low-viscosity cement (LVC) and PMMA specimens, with the cement introduced by either hand-packing or pressurized injection at periods of 2 and 7 minutes, the compressive strengths ranged from 29 MPa to 50 MPa and the compressive moduli from 539 MPa to 1,210 MPa. Cement volume fractions achieved using different filling methods ranged from 76% to 87%. In contrast to previous studies of bone-cement composites using high-density bovine bone, neither mechanical properties nor filling parameters correlated significantly with bone porosity measured prior to filling. The authors expect that the mechanical properties of bone-cement regions created at surgery under less than these ideal in vitro filling conditions will only approach their values as an upper limit. Thus, bone-cement composites created in situ at surgery will also exhibit mechanical properties well below previously assumed values.

Aged↗