Observations of bony ongrowth and clinical fixation in two retrieved disc replacements

AbstractTotal disc replacements utilize textured coatings to maximize bony ongrowth. However, the contribution of direct bony attachment to overall fixation for total disc replacements has not been reported. The goal of the present study was to document the extent of bony attachment to the surfaces of two clinically functional total disc replacements that were securely fixed at the time of revision. Two metal-and-polymeric disc replacements, one cervical and one lumbar, were evaluated following surgical retrieval. The cervical device was retrieved at 8  months and the lumbar device at 28 months post-operative. Both devices were reported well-fixed at the time of removal, with large bone masses attached to one endplate of each device. Visual inspections, non-destructive gravimetric measurements, and surface metrology were performed to assess fi xation. These inspections suggested that both devices had been fixed at the time of removal with little in vivo mechanical damage, as surgical extraction damage was noted on both devices and provided imaging showed a lack of device migration. Devices were then embedded and sectioned to evaluate the bone-implant interface. High resolution photographs and contact microradiographs were taken to assess bony attachment. In contrast to initial analysis, these images revealed radiolucent gaps between the endplates and bone masses. Little direct contact between the bone and endplate surface was identi fied and the original surgical cuts wer...

Source: Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials - May 17, 2023 Category: Materials Science Authors: Jenna M. Wahbeh, Sang ‐Hyun Park, Sumant Iyer, Edward Ebramzadeh, Sophia N. Sangiorgio Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research