Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026
11:51
An Improved Mechanical Testing Method to Assess Bone-implant Anchorage
Published on: February 10, 2014
Bone formation and remodeling around implanted materials under load-bearing conditions
Y S Chang1, M Oka, M Kobayashi
1Department of Artificial Locomotive Systems, Kyoto University, Japan.
Clinical Materials
|December 9, 1993
Summary
Load-bearing conditions affect bone remodeling around implants. Bead-coated alumina showed bone thickening, smooth alumina formed fibrous tissue, while a composite material achieved bone ingrowth and firm attachment, indicating its promise for joint prosthetics.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Bone formation and remodeling are critical for the success of orthopedic implants.
- Load-bearing conditions significantly influence the biological response to implanted materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate bone formation and remodeling around different implant materials in vivo.
- To assess the biocompatibility and osseointegration of novel osteochondral composite materials.
Main Methods:
- Three types of materials (bead-coated alumina, smooth alumina, and an artificial osteochondral composite) were implanted into dog femoral condyles.
- Bone formation and remodeling were histologically analyzed over a 24-week period.
Main Results:
- Bead-coated alumina implants promoted lamellar bone thickening.
- Smooth alumina implants resulted in fibrous tissue encapsulation and corticalization.
- The osteochondral composite demonstrated significant bone ingrowth into its titanium fiber structure, leading to robust host bone attachment.
- The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-hydrogel articular surface remained intact, showing no degradation or adverse reaction.
Conclusions:
- The surface characteristics of implants, such as bead-coating versus smooth surfaces, influence bone remodeling patterns.
- Artificial osteochondral composite materials with integrated titanium fibers offer excellent osseointegration potential.
- The PVA-hydrogel component of the composite material exhibits good biocompatibility, making it a promising candidate for joint prosthetic applications.
Related Concept Videos
01:40Bone Remodeling
Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
01:31Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during bone...
01:18The Bone Matrix
Bone contains a relatively small number of cells entrenched in a matrix of collagen fibers that provide an adherent surface for inorganic salt crystals. Both components of the matrix, organic and inorganic, contribute to the unusual properties of bone. Without collagen, bones would be brittle and shatter easily. Without mineral crystals, bones would flex and provide little support. This can be observed by an experiment: when the minerals of a bone are dissolved by soaking the bone in acid or...
01:29Bone Formation by Intramembranous Ossification
Intramembranous ossification is one of the two processes involved in the development of bones within an embryo. The flat bones of the face, most of the cranial bones, and the clavicles are formed via this process. During intramembranous ossification, the bones develop directly from sheets of undifferentiated mesenchymal connective tissue.
The process begins when mesenchymal cells in the embryonic skeleton gather together and differentiate into osteogenic cells, which then develop into...
The process begins when mesenchymal cells in the embryonic skeleton gather together and differentiate into osteogenic cells, which then develop into...
01:27Fractures: Bone Repair
Treatment for a fracture is based on the type of break, the bone affected, and the patient's age.
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
01:31Bone Remodeling and Repair
Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during bone...