Influence of Electron Beam Melting Manufactured Implants on Ingrowth and Shear Strength in an Ovine Model

Arthroplasty has evolved with the application of electron beam melting (EBM) in the manufacture of porous mediums for uncemented fixation. Osseointegration of EBM and plasma-sprayed titanium (Ti PS) implant dowels in adult sheep was assessed in graduated cancellous defects and under line-to-line fit in cortical bone. Shear strength and bony ingrowth (EBM) and ongrowth (Ti PS) were assessed after 4 and 12 weeks. Shear strength of EBM exceeded that for Ti PS at 12 weeks (P = .030). Ongrowth achieved by Ti PS in graduated cancellous defects followed a distinctive pattern that correlated to progressively decreasing radial distances between defect and implant, whereas cancellous ingrowth values at 12 weeks for the EBM were not different. Osteoconductive porous structures manufactured using EBM present a viable alternative to traditional surface treatments.