title: Effects of adding resorbable phosphate glass fibres and PLA to calcium phosphate bone cements.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs), due to their biocompatibility and degradation properties, are being widely investigated as a replacement to more commonly used polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) for vertebroplasty. CPCs have shown the potential to be replaced by host bone tissue during the healing/remodelling process. However, brittleness and comparatively low strength restrict the use of CPC in load-bearing applications. Although porous CPC can integrate with bone over time, slow degradation profiles and poor interconnectivity between pores restricts osseointegration to the top layer of CPC only.
  
  
  METHODS
  Polylactic acid (PLA) and phosphate glass fibres (PGFs) were incorporated in a CPC matrix to overcome the problem of inherent brittleness and limited osseointegration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Incorporation of PLA and PGFs within CPC was successful in achieving a much less brittle CPC matrix without affecting the mechanical properties of CPC. The area under the stress-strain curve showed that the total energy to failure of the CPC hybrid was significantly greater than that of the CPC control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The methodology adopted here to add PLA within the CPC matrix may also allow for incorporation of PLA cross-linked biochemicals. Micrographic studies revealed that it was possible to confer control over pore size, shape and interconnectivity without negatively affecting the mechanical properties of the cement. This tailorable porosity could potentially lead to better osseointegration within CPC.
authors.affiliation: 1 Faculty of Engineering, Division of Materials, Mechanics and Structures, University of Nottingham, Nottingham - UK.
authors.forename: Muhammad Sami
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Hasan
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: Teo Ling
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Donal
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McNally
authors.forename: Ifty
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Bronek M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Boszczyk
mesh_terms: D065966:Absorption, Physicochemical; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000737:chemistry*; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry*; D019245:Compressive Strength; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry*; D006244:Hardness; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D001843:Bone Cements; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; C485828:alpha-tricalcium phosphate; C009753:fiberglass; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)