The influence of the surface energy and roughness of implants on bone resorption

Abstract

We investigated the possibility that the macrophages which are seen around implants may stimulate bone resorption and cause loosening. We found that macrophages release mediators that stimulate bone resorption, and that the amount of resorption increased by between 2.5 and 10 times when the macrophages adhered to a foreign surface. This bone resorption depended on the surface energy and roughness of the foreign surface, varying with these physical properties rather than with the chemical nature of the material. It is concluded that loosening of orthopaedic implants is likely to be influenced by the surface energy and roughness of the implant.

Biodegradation of the Outer Silicone Insulation of Endocardial Leads

“…Macrophages have been proved to accumulate on rough surfaces in vitro. 38,39 Silicone rubber has been widely used as an insulation for >50 years, after undergoing approval during appropriate preclinical material bioqualifiction tests. 40 Using their own technology, manufactures prepare silicone elastomers through a process of cross-linking and use different elastomer fillers which act to reinforce the cross-linked matrix.…”

Tissue reactions to cemented hip sockets Histologic and morphometric autopsy study of 25 acetabula

“…Most authors consider that the histiocytes in the membrane are essential effector cells releasing tissue hormones and cytokines and thus directly causing bone resorption (Linder et al 1983, Murray and Rushton 1990, Santavirta et al 1990, Kossovsky e t al. 1991, Athanasou et al 1992 or activating osteoclasts (Goldring et al 1983, Goodman et al 1989, Murray et al 1989, Dorr et al 1990). As these substances are released during the necrotic disintegration of cells (Freeman et al 1982), accelerated bone resorption can be expected in the end-stage of the loosening process when degenerative changes in cells due to the high concentration of wear particles and to mechanically-induced necroses in the broad soft tissue membranes predominate.…”

Qualitative and quantitative study of human osteoblast adhesion on materials with various surface roughnesses

“…15 However, it is now understood that the surface properties of biomaterials play a critical role in the establishment of cell-biomaterial interfaces. In vitro cytocompatibility studies are increasingly concerned with the influence of surface topography, [16][17][18] surface charge, [19][20][21] and consecutive adsorption of proteins 7,8,[22][23][24][25][26] on cell attachment and proliferation. Many studies demonstrate that the surface topography is an important parameter to consider.…”