Temporal and spatial patterns of osteoblast activation around beta-TCP particles implanted into bone were analyzed by in situ hybridization with digoxygenin-labeled procollagen alpha 1(I) RNA probes. beta-TCP particles (150-300 microns in diameter) were implanted into rat tibiae, and specimens were collected 3, 5, 7, 14, and 28 days after operation. Activated osteoblasts displayed intense procollagen alpha 1(I) RNA specific labeling. At day 3, osteoblasts lining pre-existing trabeculae in places showed a specific signal. Additionally, scattered activated cells compatible with preosteoblasts also were observed in the vicinity of the trabeculae among red blood cells that filled the space between beta-TCP particles. Osteoblast activation on the surface of beta-TCP rarely was observed. At days 5 and 7, osteoblast activation and bone formation advanced centripetally. At the forefront of bone formation positive cells were scattered in the blood cell clots, and some of the positive cells colonized forming new bone matrix. Formation of new bone did not always begin at the surface of beta-TCP. At day 14, most of the beta-TCP particles were tightly associated with newly formed bone, and the number of positive osteoblasts was reduced. At day 28, absorption of the newly formed bone and the beta-TCP by multinuclear cells was sporadically demonstrated. Such cells often were accompanied by active osteoblasts, suggesting early bone remodeling. In conclusion, in situ hybridization with procollagen alpha 1(I) was employed to demonstrate precisely the mode of recruitment of bone cell precursors. beta-TCP does not positively guide collagen I expressing bone cells along its surface. It has no apparent effects on bone regeneration.

Defect bridging is still problematic in the secondary treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures. Smaller defects can be treated without problems by the well-known standardized methods, whereas other methods have to be applied for treating larger defects. Free transplants with autogenous or exogenous material should be mentioned in this context. Complications are more likely to occur with exogenous material, free transplants from the fascia lata require an additional intervention to remove the transplant from another localization. These methods cannot be applied to achieve reliable restoration of continuity for defects with a length of 10 cm. Therefore, in these special cases, we carry out the tendon transplantation with a free tendon-muscle graft from the triceps surae muscle. We achieved reliable restoration of continuity with complication-free healing of the free transplant in, up to now, three cases, in association with the formation of a strong, functionally high grade scar plate in the area of the tendon.

The effect of three different titanium plasma flame spray coatings on the tensile strength and the effect of macrostructures on the torsional shear strength of the bone implant interface was studied. Titanium cylinders, of 8 mm length and 4 mm diameter, were implanted into distal rabbit femurs. For tensile testing, two porous titanium plasma flame spray coatings, Plasmapore ®, fine-grain Plasmapore% 1 dense, unporous coating, Plasmapore ® fine on cylinders with axial grooves, and corundum blasted specimens as control group were used. For torsional loading smooth, and macrostructured cylinders with axial grooves, both with Plasmapore ® fine-coating, were used. After 168 days the implant-bone interface was biomechanically tested. A tensile test and a torsional shear test was performed. The results indicated, that the titanium plasma flame spray coatings did not differ in their tensile interface strength, but yielded a stronger interface as sandblasted surfaces and that the macrostructures did not influence the torsional shear strength.

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