The role of porous polymeric materials in prosthesis attachment

✍ Scribed by Sauer, Barry W. ;Weinstein, Allan M. ;Klawitter, Jerome J. ;Hulbert, Samuel F. ;Leonard, Ralph B. ;Bagwell, Joseph G.

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1974
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 553 KB
• Volume: 8
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0021-9304
• DOI: 10.1002/jbm.820080315

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Polymeric materials are becoming increasingly popular as prosthetic materials in orthopedic surgery. One of these materials, polyethylene, is capable of being fabricated in a porous form suitable for tissue ingrowth. Porous polyethylene appears to be well suited for prosthesis attachment when bonded to its solid form of other prosthetic materials. Extensive bone growth into porous cylindrical specimens implanted in the canine femur has occurred as early as four weeks. Ingrown tissues appear normal and there is minimal inflammatory response. Mechanical strength of the porous material, though not as great as that of the solid material, does appear to be sufficient for certain orthopedic applications. Current research is directed toward determining interfacial strengths and the mechanical properties of the porous polyethylene‐bone composite.