The biomechanical properties of deep freezing and freeze drying bones and their biomechanical changes after in-vivo allograft.

This study measured the physical properties in bending of the rat femur and compression of the rat first tail vertebra subjected to deep freezing at -80 degrees C for 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks and freeze drying. This study also measured the mechanical changes after in vivo allograft of fresh bone, deep freezing(2, 6, 12 weeks) and freeze drying. Analysis for deep freezing groups showed a mean 7.2% decrease in bending strength and 11.0% decrease in compressive strength when compared with the control group, but there was no statistical difference in the duration of deep freezing. The groups of in vivo graft after deep freezing showed 23.1% and 22.2% decrease in bending and compressive strength. There was no statistical difference in the duration of deep freezing. The freeze drying group showed a 9.7% decrease in bending strength and no significant difference in compressive strength. The group of in vivo graft after freeze drying showed a 30.1% and a 41.3% decrease in bending and compressive strength. The above results suggested that there would be some mechanical limitation in using freeze dried graft for supporting implants.