The use of sintered bone in spinal surgery

The sintered bovine bone True Bone Ceramics (TBC) is one of the biomaterials based on calcium phosphate, an organized crystal of bone mineral and a biomaterial possessing a natural trabecular structure. We examined whether the sintered bovine bone can integrate with recipient bone and adjust to the strength of recipient bone for anterior spinal fusion in an animal model. Based on radiographic evaluation, manual palpation, biomechanical testing, and histological examination, spinal fusion with TBC resulted in a composition and structure similar to that of autograft (and to no implantation). TBC, with its moderate strength, tended to adjust to the bone stiffness of the host bone in the respective specimens as new bone growth developed. Our observations warrant further clinical investigation of the use of sintered bone as an effective spinal arthrodesis, especially in patients who have fragile vertebrae, as in osteoporosis.