Mechanical studies of the bone bioglass interfacial bond

Abstract

A series of squirrel monkeys received segmental femoral replacements in a study of the strength of the interface developed between the implant and bone. Implants were either made completely of bioglass‐ceramic, or 316L stainless steel with a flame‐prayed coating of bioglass. Fracture torque, energy at fracture, and shear stress at failure were compared to values obtained from a control group of pairs of tibias. Femurs containing bulk bioglassceramic implants showed about a 25% difference in strength compared to the opposite bone, while femurs containing flame‐sprayed implants exhibited extremely low structural strength. While the strength of the metal‐glass bond was very low (2), the bonebioglass bond was found to be at least as strong as the bioglass‐ceramic, and at least 3/4 as strong as the host bone.