Temperature influence in different orthopaedic saw blades.

Laboratory tests were carried out on ox bone to evaluate the thermal effect of eight different saw blades while cutting cortical bone. These saw blades represented the usual clinical blades as well as saw blades specially manufactured in an attempt to decrease the temperature. Temperatures between 34 degrees C and 450 degrees C were registered in the saw blades. Only three measurements (of 219 tests) were below 44 degrees-47 degrees C, which is a critical limit for heat-induced bone necrosis. This test indicates that alternating saw blade design is not a way to control the temperature elevation during cutting of bone in orthopaedic procedures.