Enhancement of periprosthetic bone quality with topical hydroxyapatite-bisphosphonate composite.
BACKGROUND
Implant loosening is associated with inflammatory bone loss induced by ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene wear debris. We hypothesized that a hydroxyapatite-bisphosphonate composite improves periprosthetic bone quality and osseous integration of an intramedullary implant even in the presence of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene particles in an experimental rat femur model.


METHODS
A preliminary in vitro study determined the optimal concentration of zoledronate (50 microM) that would maximally decrease osteoclasts without harming osteoblasts. Hydroxyapatite-coated intramedullary nails were implanted bilaterally in the femora of sixteen rats (the control group), and hydroxyapatite-zoledronate-coated nails were implanted bilaterally in the femora of sixteen rats (the experimental group). Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene particles were introduced into the femoral canal before implantation. Eight rats from each group were killed at six weeks, and the remaining rats were killed at six months. Periprosthetic bone mass was analyzed by dual x-ray absorptiometry and microcomputed tomography. Osseous integration was examined by biomechanical testing of pullout strength.


RESULTS
The mean bone area (and standard deviation) in the periprosthetic bone region was significantly greater (p < 0.0001) in the hydroxyapatite-zoledronate group (2.388 +/- 0.960 mm2) than in the control group (0.933 +/- 0.571 mm2). This difference was larger in the six-week group than in the six-month group (p = 0.03). The average peak pullout force for the treated femora (241.0 +/- 95.1 N) was significantly greater (p < 0.0001) than that for the controls (55.6 +/- 49.0 N). This difference was similar in the six-week and six-month groups. The energy required for nail pullout was significantly greater (p < 0.0001) for the treated femora (521.6 +/- 293.8 N-mm) than for the controls (142.2 +/- 152.1 N-mm). This difference in energy to pullout was similar in the six-week and six-month groups. Regression analysis demonstrated a high correlation between periprosthetic bone mass and peak pullout force for both the six-week (r = 0.766, p = 0.0005) and six-month (r = 0.838, p < 0.0001) groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Surface modification of implants with hydroxyapatite-zoledronate improves periprosthetic bone quality and osseous integration.


CONCLUSIONS
Hydroxyapatite-based site-specific delivery of bisphosphonates may be one way of reducing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene wear particle-induced periprosthetic osteolysis and implant loosening.
Suratwala
Sanjeev J
SJ
Center for Orthopaedic Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Cho
Samuel K
SK
van Raalte
Jonathan J
JJ
Park
Sang Hyun
SH
Seo
Sung Wook
SW
Chang
Seong-Sil
SS
Gardner
Thomas R
TR
Lee
Francis Young-In
FY
D000818:Animals; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001858:Bone Nails; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017886:Durapatite / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005269:Femur / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000295:instrumentation; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D016348:Osseointegration; D011095:Polyethylenes; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004164:Diphosphonates; D007093:Imidazoles; D011095:Polyethylenes; C111601:ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid; D017886:Durapatite