Irradiation does not modify mechanical properties of cancellous bone under compression
Christopher J Hernandez1, Daniel S Ramsey, Stephanie J Dux
1Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, 219 Upson Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. cjh275@cornell.edu
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|October 29, 2011
Summary
Gamma radiation sterilization does not affect the mechanical properties or microscopic damage in cancellous bone allografts. This finding contrasts with cortical bone, suggesting cancellous bone performs reliably after sterilization.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Cortical bone allografts can become brittle after gamma radiation sterilization.
- The impact of gamma radiation on cancellous bone allograft properties remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of gamma radiation sterilization on cancellous bone mechanical properties.
- To assess damage formation in low- and high-density cancellous bone after irradiation.
Main Methods:
- Studied 26 human femoral cancellous bone cores from 10 cadavers.
- Assessed mechanical properties and microscopic damage (cracks, tissue damage) via fluorochrome staining.
- Compared irradiated specimens to control specimens under compressive load.
Main Results:
- Gamma radiation sterilization did not alter mechanical properties of cancellous bone, accounting for porosity variations.
- No significant differences in microscopic tissue damage were observed between irradiated and control groups.
Conclusions:
- Gamma radiation sterilization does not appear to affect cancellous bone performance under uniaxial loading.
- Findings suggest cancellous bone allografts maintain structural integrity post-sterilization, unlike cortical bone.
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