Correlation between hydroxyapatite osseointegration and Young's Modulus.

From the standpoint of hard tissue response to implant materials, calcium phosphate is probably the most compatible of materials known. During the last few years, much attention has been paid to hydroxyapatite and beta-tricalcium phosphate as potential biomaterials for a bone substitute. Good implantation of biomaterials in the skeleton is evidenced by an ability to reach full integration of the non-living implant with living bone. The aim of this study is to correlate hydroxyapatite osseointegration with Young's Modulus. Cylinders (5-6 mm in diameter) of these ceramics were packed into holes made in the femur diaphysis of a mature sheep. At 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 28, 36 and 48 weeks after the operation, samples of the bone/implant interface were embedded in polymethylmethacrylate. We used the PIXE method (Particles Induced X-rays Emission) to measure the distribution of mineral elements (Ca, P, Sr, Zn, Mn and Fe) at the bone/implant interface. At 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 28, 36 and 48 weeks after implantation we studied Young's Modulus on a biopsy of the ceramic. Young's Modulus increased with time after implantation and is linked with biomaterials integration into cortical bone.