Calcium Sulphate Ceramics for Orthopaedic Applications

Abstract

The use of calcium sulphate externally on the human body in the form of Plaster of Paris (POP) has been well established, but its possible use inside the human body as bone void filler is a recent idea. It has been realized that the quality of the calcium sulphate and its physical characteristics are the key factors for its reproducible performance inside human body, and most commercial powders may not be suitable. Controlling the size and shape of the calcium sulphate hemihydrate/bihydrate crystals is necessary to obtain a product, which will get resorbed in human body at a rate consistent with the new bone growth.

It has been realized that the α-hemihydrate form of calcium sulphate is a more suitable candidate for such applications. Hence, α-hemihydrate of calcium sulphate was prepared in the laboratory and ceramic shapes with requisite porosity and strength were fabricated. The powders and pellets were characterized for their morphology and microstructure respectively. These shapes after radiation sterilization have been used in certain test cases for orthopaedic surgery patients with bone defects. These trials have met with considerable success. Results obtained during the actual trials at L.T.M.G. Hospital, Mumbai are described.