Radiological outcome of tibial plateau fractures treated with percutaneously introduced synthetic porous Hydroxyapatite granules

Abstract

Synthetic bone-graft substitutes are increasingly being used in clinical orthopaedic practice. In India, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology has pioneered the research and development of indigenous ceramic bone substitutes. The Chitra HAP is a synthetic porous Hydroxyapatite that has completed pre-market trials according to prescribed format and has also undergone limited clinical trials in humans. This study is a clinical trial to ascertain the use of the product in the treatment of cancellous impaction fractures. Twenty-eight tibial plateau fractures were treated by a standard surgical protocol using the HAP for cancellous bone augmentation. The results were evaluated by serial radiography at specified intervals up to 1 year. At 1 year the HAP appeared fully integrated with the host bone radiologically and the articular subsidence had ceased. The synthetic HAP remained radio-opaque even at 1 year. No adverse effects were noticed due to the synthetic material. It was concluded that Chitra porous HAP is a safe and useful bone graft substitute for cancellous bone augmentation in fractures.