Embalmed and fresh frozen human bones in orthopedic cadaveric studies: which bone is authentic and feasible?

The most frequently used bones for mechanical testing of orthopedic and trauma devices are fresh frozen cadaveric bones, embalmed cadaveric bones, and artificial composite bones. Even today, the comparability of these different bone types has not been established.

We tested fresh frozen and embalmed cadaveric femora that were similar concerning age, sex, bone mineral density, and stiffness. Artificial composite femora were used as a reference group. Testing parameters were pullout forces of cortex and cancellous screws, maximum load until failure, and type of fracture generated.

Stiffness and type of fracture generated (Pauwels III) were similar for all 3 bone types (fresh frozen: 969 N/mm, 95% confidence interval (CI): 897-1,039; embalmed: 999 N/mm, CI: 875-1,121; composite: 946 N/mm, CI: 852-1,040). Furthermore, no significant differences were found between fresh frozen and embalmed femora concerning pullout forces of cancellous screws (fresh frozen: 654 N, CI: 471-836; embalmed: 595 N, CI: 365-823) and cortex screws (fresh frozen: 1,152 N, CI: 894-1,408; embalmed: 1,461 N, CI: 880-2,042), and axial load until failure (fresh frozen: 3,427 N, CI: 2,564-4290; embalmed: 3,603 N, CI: 2,898-4,306). The reference group showed statistically significantly different results for pullout forces of cancellous screws (2,344 N, CI: 2,068-2,620) and cortex screws (5,536 N, CI: 5,203-5,867) and for the axial load until failure (> 7,952 N).

Embalmed femur bones and fresh frozen bones had similar characteristics by mechanical testing. Thus, we suggest that embalmed human cadaveric bone is a good and safe option for mechanical testing of orthopedic and trauma devices.