Abstract
The idea of utilizing bone grafts during hip arthroplasty has been discussed in the literature and clinical successes have been indicated. These communications, however, did not relate to long-term results. Thus, to date, we still lack sufficient understanding as to the fate of bone grafts when they are coated with methyl-methacrylate. In order to elucidate the above issue further an experimental study has recently been initiated in an attempt to provide answers to the following questions: a) do bone grafts remain viable when they are held in place with methyl-methacrylate bone cement? and b) do such grafts retain their osteogenic potential? In the present study osteotomies were made in the femora of dogs and cortico-cancellous strips of autogenous bone were placed around the osteotomy site. The grafts were then surrounded by polymethylmethacrylate bone cement. Mechanical examinations and morphological studies, performed 3, 6 and 10 months following surgery, revealed the elaboration of fibro-osseous union. Our present findings tend to indicate that bone grafts, even if they are covered with methylmethacrylate bone cement, still retain their viability as well as their osteogenic potential.