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Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume, Vol 85-B, Issue 4, 499-503.
doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.85B4.13605  
Copyright © 2003 by British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery
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Degradation of hydroxyapatite coating on a well-functioning femoral component

N. Aebli, MD, Senior Registrar1; J. Krebs, DVSc, Visiting Research Fellow1; D. Schwenke, PhD, Research Fellow1; H. Stich, Drhc, Histologist2; P. Schawalder, DVSc, Professor3; and J.-C. Theis, FRACS, Associate Professor1

1 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
2 The Dental School
3 The Veterinary School, University of Bern, Switzerland.

Correspondence should be sent to Dr J Krebs at the MEM Research Centre for Orthopaedic Surgery, Institute for Surgical Technology and Biomechanics, University of Bern, PO Box 8354, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland.

We carried out a histological study of a proximally hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated femoral component, retrieved after 9.5 years of good function. The HA coating had completely degraded. Bone was in direct contact with the titanium surface in all the areas which had been coated, with no interposing fibrous tissue. There were no signs of particles, third-body wear, adverse tissue reactions or osteolysis. Bone remodelling was evident by the presence of resorption lacunae; tetracycline labelling showed bone laid down six years after implantation.

The loss of the HA-coating had no negative effect on the osseo-integration of the stem. We conclude that the HA coating contributes to the fixation of the implant and that its degradation does not adversely affect the long-term fixation.






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Hip, Knee, Trauma, Upper limb, Foot & Ankle, Paediatrics, Oncology, Spine, Arthroplasty, General