Osseointegration of machined, injection moulded and oxygen plasma modified PEEK implants in a sheep model

Machined and injection moulded polyetheretherketone (PEEK) implants with and without an oxygen plasma modification were prepared and implanted in sheep cancellous and cortical bone. After 4, 12 and 26 weeks, osseointegration was evaluated through mechanical push-out tests and histomorphometry. In the cancellous bone, push-out force increased with time, a trend toward higher force was observed for machined compared to moulded, and oxygen plasma modified compared to unmodified. On-going remodelling of the bone was detected in the periphery of the implants at 4 weeks. Minimal or no inflammation was observed with all the implants at all locations and time-points. Bone-implant contact (BIC) was quantified at all-time points and locations for all the four PEEK implant surfaces. The BIC values ranged from 15 to 75% with an average of 29 ± 13% in the cancellous bone and 25–65% with an average of 50 ± 12% in the cortical bone. In the cortical bone the BIC increased significantly from 4 to 26 weeks. This in vivo study has identified that surface topography of PEEK implants influences osseointegration. In addition, oxygen plasma has the potential to increase bone-implant interface stability. This study provides a unique reference for further modifications and in vivo assessment of PEEK implants.