Abstract
The use of artificial bone graft substitutes has increased as the surgical application for large bone defect. Beta-tri calcium phosphate (β-TCP) is the only bone substitute which is replaced and absorbed to the bone. In the present study we investigated whether low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) accelerates bone ingrowth into the pores of β-TCP carried with bone marrow. Thirty six rats were used and these rats were divided into 4 groups, control group, β-TCP with LIPUS group, β-TCP carried with bone marrow and β-TCP carried with bone marrow and LIPUS. Specimens were harvested on 2, 4 and 6 weeks after implantation, and were analyzed by HE and TRAP staining. The new bone formation in the β-TCP carried with bone marrow and LIPUS was significantly larger than that of similarly implanted P-TCP that was not exposed to LIPUS. The new bone formation in the P-TCP without bone marrow was not observed. LIPUS application does not significantly increase the activity of osteoclast in comparison with similarly implanted β-TCP that was not exposed to LIPUS.
