Direct tendon attachment and healing to porous tantalum: an experimental animal study.
BACKGROUND
The ability to directly attach soft-tissue to metal would have broad clinical application. Previous attempts to obtain normal tendon-to-bone attachment strength have been unsuccessful. In the present study, we hypothesized that when the initial interface mechanical environment is carefully controlled, a highly porous form of tantalum metal would allow the ingrowth of tendon tissue with clinically relevant tendon-to-implant fixation strength approaching that of an intact tendon-to-bone insertion.


METHODS
Supraspinatus tendons from forty skeletally mature dogs were reattached to the greater tuberosity between two custom-designed porous tantalum washers. Clinical function as judged on the basis of gait analysis, reattachment fixation strength and stiffness, and tendon function as seen through muscle volume were evaluated preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at three, six, and twelve weeks after surgery. Qualitative and quantitative histomorphologic evaluation was performed at three, six, and twelve weeks after surgery.


RESULTS
Gait analysis with use of force-plate measurements demonstrated return to a normal gait pattern by three weeks after surgery. Tendon-implant strength as a percentage of normal, contralateral controls increased significantly, from 39% at the time of surgery to 67% at three weeks, 99% at six weeks, and 140% at twelve weeks (p < 0.0014). The stiffness of the construct also increased and approached that of normal tendon, measuring 47% at the time of surgery, 62% at three weeks, 94% at six weeks, and 130% at twelve weeks (p < 0.0299). Supraspinatus muscle volume initially decreased by 33% but recovered to 92% of normal by twelve weeks (p < 0.01). Histomorphologic evaluation showed Sharpey-like fibers inserting onto the surface of the porous tantalum. Quantitative histomorphometric analysis revealed a time-dependent increase in the density of the collagen tissue filling the metal voids below the implant surface of first the bottom washer and then the top washer.


CONCLUSIONS
Robust biologic ingrowth of tendon into a porous tantalum implant surface can be achieved under conditions of secure initial mechanical fixation. The strength and stiffness of the tendon-implant construct reached normal levels by six to twelve weeks in this animal model.
Reach
John S
JS
Yale University School of Medicine, Yale Physicians Building, 800 Howard Avenue, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. john.reach@aya.yale.edu
Dickey
Ian D
ID
Zobitz
Mark E
ME
Adams
Julie E
JE
Scully
Sean P
SP
Lewallen
David G
DG
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004285:Dogs; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D016062:Porosity; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011897:Random Allocation; D013635:Tantalum; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation*; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D014945:Wound Healing
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D013635:Tantalum