Bone compaction enhances fixation of hydroxyapatite-coated implants in a canine gap model

Primary cementless joint replacement depends partly on the ability of bone to heal into those areas of an inserted implant where a gap to surrounding bone initially exists. A new bone preparation technique, compaction, has enhanced gap-healing around grit-blasted implants without osteoconductive properties. However, hydroxyapatite (HA) porous-coated implants with osteoconductive properties are often inserted clinically to enhance gap healing and implant fixation. It is unknown whether the osteoconductive properties of HA porous-coated implants might overwhelm the beneficial effects of compaction on gap healing. Therefore, we compared the compaction technique with the conventional bone-removing technique, drilling, using HA porous-coated implants in a canine gap model. HA porous-coated titanium implants were bilaterally inserted into oversized cavities of the proximal humeri of seven dogs. Each dog served as its own control. Thus, one humerus had the implant cavity prepared with compaction, the other with drilling. Two weeks after surgery push-out test and histomorphometry was performed. Compaction significantly increased ultimate shear strength, energy absorption, apparent shear stiffness, bone implant contact, and peri-implant bone density. The results of this study suggest that compaction may enhance gap healing when osteoconductive HA porous coated implants are inserted in joint replacements.