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Plasma-sprayed titanium coating to polyetheretherketone improves the bone-implant interface
William R Walsh1, Nicky Bertollo1, Chrisopher Christou1
1Surgical and Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Prince of Wales Clinical School, The University of New South Wales, Prince of Wales Hospital, Level 1 Clinical Science Building, Avoca Street, Randwick, Sydney, Australia, 2031.
Plasma-sprayed titanium coating on polyetheretherketone (PEEK) implants significantly enhances bone fixation. This coating improves both mechanical strength and direct bone contact, overcoming PEEK's limitations for better implant efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Implantology
Background:
- Achieving rapid and stable bone-implant fixation is crucial for clinical success.
- Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) offers advantageous mechanical properties for implants but is limited by its hydrophobicity and poor bone integration.
- Enhancing bone-to-implant contact is a key goal for improving implant performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of plasma-sprayed titanium coating on PEEK implants.
- To assess the mechanical and histological outcomes at the bone-implant interface.
- To determine if titanium coating improves bone integration with PEEK.
Main Methods:
- A preclinical ovine model was utilized for the study.
- Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and plasma-sprayed titanium-coated PEEK implants were placed in cortical and cancellous bone.
- Shear strength was measured at 4 and 12 weeks; histology was performed at both time points.
Main Results:
- Titanium coating significantly increased shear strength at the bone-implant interface compared to PEEK alone.
- The improvement in shear strength was sustained and increased over the 12-week study period.
- Direct bone ongrowth was observed on titanium-coated PEEK in both cancellous and cortical bone sites.
Conclusions:
- Plasma-sprayed titanium coating enables direct bone-to-implant bonding on hydrophobic PEEK materials.
- The titanium coating enhances mechanical properties in cortical bone sites.
- Histological analysis confirmed improved bone integration in both cortical and cancellous bone with the coated implants.
