Mechanical properties of bone after implantation of apatite–wollastonite containing glass ceramic–fibrin mixture

Abstract

Mechanical properties of bone implanted with a mixture of apatite–wollastonite containing glass ceramic (A–W.GC) granules and fibrin were examined by compression testing. A 1:1 mixture of A–W.GC granules and fibrin (Group 1), 1:4 mixture of A–W.GC granules and fibrin (Group 2), and 1:1 mixture of hydroxyapatite (HA) granules and fibrin (Group 3) were implanted in the distal femoral metaphyses of rabbits. Histomorphometric analysis suggested that A–W.GC has a greater osteoconductive potential than HA. Trabeculalike structures were observed 24 weeks after the operation in all groups but were most notable in Group 2. Twenty-four weeks after the operation, in Groups 1 and 3, the compressive strength and compressive stiffness were higher than that of normal cancellous bone, and the fracture toughness was comparable with that of normal cancellous bone. In Group 2, all three values were similar to those of normal cancellous bone. Implantation of A–W.GC granules at a low density induces the formation of bone tissue which is similar to normal bone in both mechanical properties and morphology.