Quantitative analysis of the resorption and osteoconduction of a macroporous calcium phosphate bone cement for the repair of a critical size defect in the femoral condyle.

Clinical orthopaedic use of calcium phosphate cement has been limited due to its slow resorption rate, but a new macroporous alpha-tricalcium phosphate (alpha-TCP) bone cement has been designed to accelerate resorption and to increase bone ingrowth. To assess its clinical potential, the in vivo behaviour of alpha-TCP was evaluated in a critical-size defect drilled in the femoral condyles of 36 adult female New Zealand rabbits. Macroporous or standard cement was injected immediately after preparation of the defect.