Mechanical properties of radial bone defects treated with autogenous graft covered with hydroxyapatite in rabbit

PURPOSE: To determine biomechanical property of autogenous bone graft covered with hydroxyapatite in the defect of radial bone in rabbit. METHODS: Eighteen adult male New Zealand white rabbits were used which were divided into three groups (I, II, III) of six rabbits each. A segmental bone defect of 10 mm in length was created in the middle of the right radial shaft under general effective anesthesia in all rabbits and were stabilized using mini-plate with four screws. The defects In group I were left as such without filler, whereas in group II the defect were filled up with harvested 10 mm rib bone and in group III the defect were packed with rib bone covered with nano-hydroxyapatite. All rabbits in three groups were divided into two subgroups (one month and three months duration with three rabbits in each one). RESULTS: The mechanical property and the mean load for fracturing normal radial bone was recorded 388.2 +/- 6 N whereas it was 72.4 +/- 12.8 N for group I in 1 month duration which was recorded 182.4 +/- 14.2 N for group II and 211.6 +/- 10.4 N for group III at the end of 1 month. These values were 97.6 +/- 10.2 N for group I and 324.6 +/- 8.2 N for group II and 372.6 +/- 17.4 N for group III at the end of three months after implantation. CONCLUSION: Implantation of autologous graft covered with hydroxyapatite indicated to have positive effect in integral formation of qualitative callus at the site of fracture and early re-organization of callus to regain mechanical strength too.