Effects of multiple freezing-thawing cycles on ultimate indentation load and stiffness of bovine cancellous bone.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of multiple freezing-thawing cycles on ultimate indentation load and stiffness of bovine tibial cancellous bone with regard to freezing conditions (saline solution or air) or methods of thawing (saline solution or air).


METHODS
4 tibias from 4 adult cows.


METHODS
The proximal portions of the tibias were sectioned to produce 20-mm-thick bone slices. Slices were subjected to 5 freezing-thawing cycles under 4 conditions: freezing with and without saline solution, then thawing in saline solution or exposed to the air. The mechanical properties of the bone slices before and after the treatments were measured, using an indentation test for comparison. Indentation testing was performed before and after freezing-thawing cycles to measure differences in mechanical parameters.


RESULTS
Significant differences in mechanical parameters were not found for bone specimens frozen in saline solution and thawed in saline solution; frozen without saline solution and thawed in air; frozen in saline solution and thawed in air; or frozen without saline solution and thawed in saline solution.


CONCLUSIONS
Multiple thawing-freezing cycles do not significantly affect the ultimate indentation load and stiffness of bovine tibial cancellous bone.
Kang
Q
Q
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA.
An
Y H
YH
Friedman
R J
RJ
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005615:Freezing; D011859:Radiography; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013696:Temperature; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*