Better Osteoporotic Fracture Healing with Sintered Dicalcium Pyrophosphate (SDCP) Treatment: A Rat Femoral Fracture Model.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sintered dicalcium pyrophosphate (SDCP) on fracture healing in an osteoporotic rat model. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (8 weeks old) were randomly allocated into five groups: sham-operated group, and bilateral ovariectomized group treated with SDCP, alendronate, calcitonin, or no treatment. Rats were sacrificed at 6 or 16 weeks after fracture. Fracture sites were examined by microcomputed tomography (microCT), histology, and mechanical testing. The results showed that SDCP mildly suppressed callus remodeling at 6 weeks, but not at 16 weeks. The lamellar bone in the callus area and new cortical shell formation in SDCP-treated group were similar to that of the sham group at 16 weeks after fracture, indicating there was no delayed callus remodeling into lamellar bone. At both 6 and 16 weeks after fracture, ultimate stress and elastic modulus were similar between the SDCP and sham groups, and the mechanical strength in these groups was better than that in other groups. Finally, analysis of the serum bone markers CTX-1 and P1NP suggested that SDCP decreased the bone turnover rate and promoted proper fracture healing. The effect of SDCP is superior to that of alendronate and calcitonin in the healing of osteoporotic fractures.

Anterior cervical fusion using a polyetheretherketone cage containing a bovine xenograftp: three to five-year follow-up.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of an anterior polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage incorporated with a bovine xenograft to treat disorders of the cervical disc. OBJECTIVE: To assess the achievement of fusion by PEEK cage with xenograft radiographically and clinically when used to perform ACDF. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is the therapy of choice for degenerative disc disorders of the cervical spine. Although cage device increases initial stability of the levels treated, fusion is the key factor for satisfactory results. Filling the cage devices with autologous iliac bone grafts enable achievement of the best fusion result. Although the volume of harvested bone graft is minimal, donor-site morbidity is still a complication of concern. To avoid this adverse issue, we used a new bovine xenograft in place of autologous bone graft. METHODS: Fifty-six patients (33 men and 23 women aged 31-78 years) underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using PEEK cage with a bovine xenograft bone substitute to treat symptomatic cervical disorders. Radiographic and clinical results were assessed over 3 to 5 years of follow up. RESULTS: Almost all patients had symptomatic improvement, and 84% reported good-to-excellent satisfaction. All cases achieved solid fusion, confirmed by radiographs and computed tomography, but cage subsidence occurred at 8 levels. CONCLUSION: As applied in anterior cervical fusion, the cage incorporated with the xenograft prevented donor-site morbidity and provided successful fusion.