Micro-CT Assessment During Embedding of Prototype Ti Alloy Multi-Spiked Connecting Scaffold in Subchondral Trabecular...

The prototype of a biomimetic multi-spiked connecting scaffold (MSC-Scaffold) represents an essential innovation in the fixation in subchondral trabecular bone of components for a new generation of entirely cementless hip resurfacing arthroplasty (RA) endoprostheses. In designing such a functional biomaterial scaffold, identifying the microstructural and mechanical properties of the host bone compromised by degenerative disease is crucial for proper post-operative functioning and long-term maintenance of the endoprosthesis components. This study aimed to explore, depending on the occurrence of obesity, changes in the microstructure and mechanical properties of the subchondral trabecular bone in femoral heads of osteoarthritis (OA) patients caused by the MSC-Scaffold embedding. Computed microtomography (micro-CT) scanning of femoral heads from OA patients was conducted before and after the mechanical embedding of the MSC-Scaffold. Bone morphometric parameters such as bone volume/total volume (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and trabecular number (Tb.N) for regions surrounding the MSC-Scaffold were computed, and the mechanical properties such as bone density (ρ), bone compressive strength (S), and the Young's modulus (E) within these regions were calculated. A statistically significant increase in BV/TV (by 15.0% and 24.9%) and Tb.Th (by 13.1% and 42.5%) and a decrease in Tb.N (by 15.2% and 23.6%) were observed, which translates to an increase in ρ (by 15.0% and 24.9%), S (by 28.8% and 49.5%), and E (by 18.0% and 29.8%) in non-obese patients and obese patients, respectively. These changes in properties are favorable for the mechanical loads' transfer from the artificial joint surface via the MSC-Scaffold to the periarticular trabecular bone of the OA femoral head in the postoperative period.