Porous surface modified bioactive glass stimulates tissue engineered repair of long bone defects

Massive bone loss of the proximal femur is a common problem in revision hip arthroplasties. Allograft bone is commonly used to reconstruct the site for fixation of the new prosthesis. However, the long-term function of the prosthesis can be compromised due to the delayed healing or poor remodeling of the allograft. Thus, alternative materials are needed to function not only as mechanical fillers but, to induce bone formation and ultimately, be replaced by and function as normal bone tissue. We have developed a porous, bioactive scaffold that stimulates the expression of the osteoblastic phenotype and production of bone-like matrix in vitro. In this present study, we investigate, mechanically, the incorporation of the scaffold in a long bone defect in the rat.