Animal studies on bone ingrowth kinetics of ceramic material under dynamic stress

Two of the primary problems of implants in use today result from the materials used in their construction (metal and polyethylene) and from the necessary additional fixation with bone cement. In order to alleviate these well known difficulties, we studied ceramic material (99.7% Al2O3 with 0.25% MgO) which exhibits several advantages in these areas, but has a diminished bending strength. To take advantage of the ceramic material, we tested a cement-free implantation which should allow unhindered growth of bone tissue to or into the material. In particular, the interface relationship under load bearing was investigated. The course of the tissue differentiation and ingrowth on the surface of the ceramic implants under dynamic stress, was studied by a specifically disegned distance-spacer. These were tested on the femur of foxhounds and sheep, as well as by use of temporary immobilization. Histological investigations in intervals of 4 weeks showed the course of the development of the interface tissue. After removal of the binding materials, the behavior of the implant support is studied in 4-week intervals with free load bearing. Radiological and histological development studies are shown. The results we obtained implicate the use of ceremic impants. But the application in humans still seems to be problematic, as there is a need for designs which are loaded by pressure only.