Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 28, 2026
Combined In vivo Optical and µCT Imaging to Monitor Infection, Inflammation, and Bone Anatomy in an Orthopaedic Implant Infection in Mice
Published on: October 16, 2014
Thermal Damage Done to Bone by Burring and Sawing With and Without Irrigation in Knee Arthroplasty
Gwenllian F Tawy1, Philip J Rowe1, Philip E Riches1
1The Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Wolfson Centre, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Background:
Heat from bone resecting tools used in knee surgery can induce thermal osteonecrosis, potentially causing aseptic implant loosening. This study compared oscillating saws to burrs in terms of temperature generation and histologic damage. Use of irrigation to reduce bone temperature was also investigated.
Methods:
Temperatures were recorded during sawing and burring with or without irrigation (uncooled or cooled). Histologic analyses were then carried out. Differences between groups were tested statistically (α = 0.05).
Results:
On average, burring produced higher temperatures than sawing (P < .001). When uncooled irrigation was used, bone temperatures were significantly lower in sawed bone than in burred bone (P < .001). Irrigation lowered temperatures and thermal damage depths and increased osteocyte viability (P < .001).
Conclusion:
These results suggest that irrigating bone during resection could prevent osteonecrosis onset.
