Degrading magnesium screws ZEK100: biomechanical testing, degradation analysis and soft-tissue biocompatibility in a rabbit model

Biomed Mater. 2013 Aug;8(4):045012. doi: 10.1088/1748-6041/8/4/045012. Epub 2013 Jul 1.

Abstract

Magnesium alloys are promising implant materials for use in orthopaedic applications. In the present study, screws made of the Mg-alloy ZEK100 (n = 12) were implanted in rabbit tibiae for four and six weeks, respectively. For degradation analysis, in vivo µ-computed tomography (µCT), a determination of the weight changes and SEM/EDX examinations of the screws were performed. Screw retention forces were verified by uniaxial pull-out tests. Additionally, soft-tissue biocompatibility was estimated using routine histological methods (H&E staining) and the immunohistological characterization of B- and T-cells. After six weeks, a 7.5% weight reduction occurred and, in dependence of the implant surrounding, the volume loss (µCT) reached 9.6% (screw head) and 5.0% for the part of the thread in the marrow cavity. Pull-out forces significantly decreased to 44.4% in comparison with the origin value directly after implantation. Soft tissue reactions were characterized by macrophage and lymphocyte infiltration, whereas T-cells as well as B-cells could be observed. In comparison to MgCa0.8-screws, the degradation rate and inflammatory tissue response were increased and the screw holding power was decreased after six weeks. In conclusion, ZEK100-screws seem to be inferior to MgCa0.8-screws, although their initial strength was more appropriate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alloys / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Biomechanical Phenomena*
  • Bone Screws*
  • Calcium / chemistry
  • Female
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Inflammation
  • Lymphocytes / cytology
  • Macrophages / cytology
  • Magnesium / chemistry
  • Materials Testing*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Rabbits
  • Tibia / pathology
  • Time Factors
  • X-Ray Microtomography

Substances

  • Alloys
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Magnesium
  • Calcium