PURPOSE: Interest has focused on porous materials that promote bony ingrowth. In this study a porous tantalum implant was used as an adjunct to intercarpal stabilization in a canine model of wrist arthrodesis. METHODS: A defect was created at the junction of the radiocarpal, ulnocarpal, and fourth carpal bones, analogous to a four-corner fusion site in humans. A tantalum cylinder was press-fit and stabilized with K-wires. Controls were represented by creating the defect without implant placement. Animals were killed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Histology showed bony ingrowth as early as 4 weeks and mechanical testing showed a statistically significant increase in strength of the construct over time. Controls failed to achieve union at any time point. CONCLUSIONS: The implant served as an adjunct to stabilization of the carpus in this model of four-corner fusion, suggesting a novel application of this material in conditions in which bone graft has been required previously. This study represents a preliminary investigation of the use of a tantalum device for intercarpal stabilization; it does not compare this technique with conventional methods.
PURPOSE: Interest has focused on porous materials that promote bony ingrowth. In this study a porous tantalum implant was used as an adjunct to intercarpal stabilization in a canine model of wrist arthrodesis. METHODS: A defect was created at the junction of the radiocarpal, ulnocarpal, and fourth carpal bones, analogous to a four-corner fusion site in humans. A tantalum cylinder was press-fit and stabilized with K-wires. Controls were represented by creating the defect without implant placement. Animals were killed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Histology showed bony ingrowth as early as 4 weeks and mechanical testing showed a statistically significant increase in strength of the construct over time. Controls failed to achieve union at any time point. CONCLUSIONS: The implant served as an adjunct to stabilization of the carpus in this model of four-corner fusion, suggesting a novel application of this material in conditions in which bone graft has been required previously. This study represents a preliminary investigation of the use of a tantalum device for intercarpal stabilization; it does not compare this technique with conventional methods.
Authors: Toktam Ghassemi; Azadeh Shahroodi; Mohammad H Ebrahimzadeh; Alireza Mousavian; Jebraeel Movaffagh; Ali Moradi Journal: Arch Bone Jt Surg Date: 2018-03