Compressive mechanical properties of the radial bone defects treated with nano-hydroxyapatite/yttria-stabilized zirconia in rabbits

Abstract

The treatment of massive bone defects is one of the most challenging problems, and many researchers are trying to find materials or drugs that can improve bone healing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical effect of nano-hydroxyapatite/yttria-stabilized zirconia on the healing of a radial cortical bone defect in a rabbit model. Thirty six adult male New Zealand rabbits were randomly allocated into two equal groups and three subgroups (1-, 2-, and 3-month duration) with six rabbits in each subgroup. Under general anesthesia, a segmental bone defect, 10 mm in length, was created in the middle of the right radial shaft in all rabbits. This was then stabilized using mini-plate with four screws. The defects in group I were left empty, whereas in group II, the bone defects were filled with nano-hydroxyapatite/yttria-stabilized zirconia. The mean load for fracturing radial bone in group II at 1, 2, and 3 months after surgery was significantly higher than group I (P < 0.05). Biomechanical analysis of the radial bone healing was shown to be significantly improved by the nano-hydroxyapatite/yttria-stabilized zirconia compared with the control group, suggesting that this material promotes the healing of cortical bone, presumably by acting as an osteoconductive agent.