Enhanced stabilization of porous-coated metal implants with tricalcium phosphate granules

Tricalcium phosphate (TCP) granules were tested as a possible alternative to bone graft as an interposition material to stabilize porous-coated metal implants in overreamed femoral intramedullary canals in dogs in vitro and in vivo. TCP granules provided as much stability as bone graft or a press fit in the in vitro testing. At six weeks in the in vivo system, the TCP stabilized specimens had an increased average resistance to tensile testing, but the increase was not significant. At six months, however, TCP-stabilized specimens exhibited a significant increase in resistance to pull-out force (p less than 0.05). Histologic examination revealed incorporation of the TCP granules in bone bridging from the endosteal cortex to the porous surfaces. TCP granules might be useful as a synthetic interposition material for stabilization of porous-coated metal components. TCP granules exhibited osteoconductive properties.