A 3D printed porous titanium alloy rod with biogenic lamellar configuration for treatment of the early-stage femoral head osteonecrosis in sheep. (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Cairu; Xie, Qingyun; Yang, Lanbo; Liu, Jinbiao; Liu, Da; Li, Zhiqiang; Gong, Kai; Yin, Li; Wang, Wei; Guo, Zheng; Zheng, Wei
• Is Part Of: Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials. Volume 106(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head -- Porous titanium alloy -- Biogenic lamellar configuration -- Bone integration and ingrowth -- Sheep; Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials -- Mechanical properties -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials; Biomedical materials -- Mechanical properties; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.103738
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-6161

Abstract

Abstract: There is no ideal implant for mechanical strut on early-stage osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) after core decompression. In this study, a biogenic trabecular porous titanium rod with lamellar configuration was designed and fabricated using selective laser melting technique. Early-stage ONFH of sheep induced by cryo-insult were dealt with core decompression combined with rod insertion (Rod group) and core decompression alone (CD group) after X-ray evaluation was used to assess the necrotic region one months after cryo-intervention. Bone integration and ingrowth of the two groups were investigated and compared. Early-stage ONFH intervened with the rod gained better bone ingrowth than CD 3 and 6 months after the intervention, as evidenced by radiographic, micro-CT and histological evaluation. X-ray images showed compact integration between rods and peripheral bone, evidenced by no radiolucent lines encircling the rods at 3 and 6 months. Micro-CT and histological images showed that the new bone had grown into the centre of rods along the metal at 3 months, whereas the new bone grew mainly at the periphery of the decompressive channel. Micro-CT analysis show that the ratios of bone volume to total volume (BV/TV) of volume of interest (VOI) in Rod group was 890.0% and 438.1% higher than CD group at 3 (0.198 ± 0.0094 VS 0.020 ± 0.0058, p < 0.05, n = 3) and 6 (0.226 ± 0.0166 VS 0.042 ± 0.0061, p < 0.05, n = 3) months respectively. Histological analysis showed that the BV/TV of VOI in Rod group was 881.0% and 413.3% higher than CD group at 3 (0.206 ± 0.0102 VS 0.021 ± 0.0061, p < 0.05, n = 3) and 6 (0.231 ± 0.0156 VS 0.045 ± 0.0059, p < 0.05, n = 3) months respectively. The mechanical tests revealed that the maximum load of Rod group was 57.6% larger than CD group at 6 months (4505.25 ± 443.86 N VS 2858.25 ± 512.91 N, p < 0.05, n = 3). These favourable short-term results can provide insight on treatment of early-stage ONFH.