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Alendronate inhibits bone resorption at the bone-screw interface.
Takahiro Miyaji1, Takanobu Nakase, Yoshiaki Azuma
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Osaka University Medical School, Osaka, Japan. miyaji@ort.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|January 22, 2005
Summary
Systemic alendronate treatment reduced screw loosening at the bone-screw interface in rats. This bisphosphonate therapy inhibited local bone resorption by decreasing fibrous tissue and osteoclast presence.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Pharmacology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Screw loosening at the bone-screw interface is a common complication in orthopedic surgery.
- Bisphosphonates are known to inhibit bone resorption, but their effect on screw loosening is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of systemic alendronate administration in preventing screw loosening at the bone-screw interface.
- To evaluate the impact of alendronate on local bone resorption markers.
Main Methods:
- Systemic administration of alendronate (a bisphosphonate) to rats with external fixators applied to the femur.
- Weekly alendronate treatment over a 5-week postoperative period.
- Analysis of radiographic, histologic, and immunohistochemical findings at the bone-screw interface.
Main Results:
- Alendronate treatment significantly reduced the width of the fibrous loosening membrane.
- A notable decrease in the number of osteoclasts was observed at the bone-screw interface.
- Systemic alendronate demonstrated an inhibitory effect on local bone resorption.
Conclusions:
- Systemic alendronate effectively suppresses screw loosening by inhibiting local bone resorption at the bone-screw interface.
- Alendronate may be a potential therapeutic agent to improve the long-term stability of orthopedic implants.