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Stress shielding reduced by a silicon plate-bone interface. A canine experiment.
D L Korvick1, J W Newbrey, G W Bagby
1Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Washington State University, Pullman.
Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica
|October 1, 1989
Summary
Modifying orthopedic plates with Silastic reduced bone porosity and remodeling. This Silastic interface improved plate-bone contact and lowered interface pressure during in vitro testing.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Medical Device Engineering
Background:
- Orthopedic implants, such as bone plates, are crucial for fracture fixation.
- The interface between the implant and bone can influence healing and implant longevity.
- Conventional plates may lead to stress shielding and bone resorption due to high interface pressure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of a Silastic (polysiloxane) modified plate-bone interface on biomechanical properties and bone response.
- To compare a novel Silastic-backed plate with a standard orthopedic plate.
Main Methods:
- In vitro four-point bending tests were performed to assess strain per load.
- In vitro plate-bone contact and interface pressure were quantified.
- An in vivo study involved implanting Silastic-backed and standard plates on canine femurs for 27 weeks.
Main Results:
- In vitro tests showed similar strain per load for both plate types.
- The Silastic-backed plate demonstrated greater plate-bone contact and lower interface pressure compared to the standard plate.
- In vivo, the Silastic interface resulted in reduced bone porosity and haversian envelope remodeling.
Conclusions:
- A Silastic modified plate-bone interface can enhance biomechanical compatibility.
- This modification may mitigate adverse bone remodeling and porosity associated with standard orthopedic plates.
- Silastic-backed plates show potential for improved outcomes in orthopedic fracture fixation.