Compressive strength of calcium carbonate and hydroxyapatite implants after bone-marrow-induced osteogenesis

Natural coral and structurally similar porous hydroxyapatite (HA) have been used as bone substitutes. They are not osteoinductive but bone formation can be induced by marrow cells, even in extraosseal sites. In our previous study we induced bone formation in porous coral and HA after having implanted the materials in intramuscular pockets in rat. New bone formed only in HA or coral implants soaked with marrow cells; fibrous tissue ingrowth alone was observed in the controls (without marrow). In the present study we examined the effect of tissue ingrowth on the mechanical properties of coral and HA implants obtained in a similar process to that used before. At 12 weeks the compressive strength of HA was higher in the marrow group than in the controls; it was also higher than that of the wet unimplanted material. The HA blocks did not show resorption. Coral resorbed quickly and lost its compressive strength, which was originally higher than in HA. At three weeks the marrow group was stronger than the control specimens. After six weeks only the marrow group, but not the controls, could be tested. Bone ingrowth seemed to maintain the strength of the coral implant even if it was dissolving. The mechanical strength of both materials was comparable to that of cancellous bone.