Characterization of electrolytically prepared brushite and hydroxyapatite coatings on orthopedic alloys.

Details of a procedure for electrolytically preparing highly pure brushite (CaHPO4.2H2O) coatings on high surface area metal substrates are provided. The influence of current density and deposition time on coating morphology is described. After a discussion of procedures used to convert the brushite coatings to hydroxyapatite, results from a preliminary animal study that demonstrate the propensity of these coatings to stimulate bony ingrowth into porous plugs are presented.