Biomechanical properties of cortical allograft bone using a new method of bone strength measurement: a comparison of fresh, fresh-frozen and irradiated bone

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Hamer, A. J.¹; Strachan, J. R.²; Black, M. M.²; Ibbotson, C. J.¹; Stockley, I.¹; Elson, R. A.¹

Biomechanical properties of cortical allograft bone using a new method of bone strength measurement: a comparison of fresh, fresh-frozen and irradiated bone

J Bone Joint Surg. May 1996;78B(3):363-368

©1996 British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery

Affiliations

¹Northern General Hospital NHS Trust, Herries Road, Sheffield S5 7AU UK

²Department of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK
Abstract

There have been conflicting reports on the effects of gamma irradiation on the material properties of cortical allograft bone. To investigate changes which result from the method of preparation, test samples must be produced with similar mechanical properties to minimise variations other than those resulting from treatment.

We describe a new method for the comparative measurement of bone strength using standard bone samples. We used 233 samples from six cadavers to study the effects of irradiation at a standard dose (28 kGy) alone and combined with deep freezing. We also investigated the effects of varying the dose from 6.8 to 60 kGy (n = 132).

None of the treatments had any effect on the elastic behaviour of the samples, but there was a reduction in strength to 64% of control values (p < 0.01) after irradiation with 28 kGy. There was also a dose-dependent reduction in strength and in the ability of the samples to absorb work before failure

We suggest that irradiation may cause an alteration in the bone matrix of allograft bone, but provided it is used in situations in which loading is within its elastic region, then failure should not occur.
Links

DOI: 10.1302/0301-620X.78B3.0780363

PubMed: 8636167

WoS: A1996UM46100004
History

Received: 1995-03-24

Accepted: 1995-09-01

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1997	Currey JD, Foreman J, Laketić I, Mitchell J, Pegg DE, Reilly GC. Effects of ionizing radiation on the mechanical properties of human bone. J Orthop Res. January 1997;15(1):111-117.
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