This study describes the biologic integration of grit-blasted titanium
alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) implants that were press fit into the distal femora
l canal of young adult rabbits and evaluated by histologic, histomorph
ometric, and biomechanical methods, Polished and aluminum oxide grit-b
lasted (4.2 +/- 0.7 microns surface roughness) solid implants were com
pared with titanium fibermetal implants. Nondecalcified cross sections
were studied by histology, histomorphometry, and electron microscopy
in the backscatter mode at 3, 6, and 12 weeks after implantation. Pull
out strength was measured at 12 weeks. Data were analyzed by analysis
of variance and post-hoc Student-Newman-Keuls and Scheffe's tests. The
blasted implants had significantly more bone intimately in contact wi
th the implant surface (31%) than the fibermetal (17%), or solid polis
hed implants (15%). By 3 weeks, woven bone had formed directly on the
surface of the blasted implants, whereas there was a discrete space be
tween woven bone and the other implants. Active remodeling of bone was
shown by fluorochrome uptake at the surface of the blasted implants a
t 12 weeks after implantation. The strength of fixation of blasted and
fibermetal implants was significantly greater than polished implants
at 12 weeks after implantation. Direct attachment of newly formed bone
onto the blasted implant surface was confirmed by backscatter electro
n microscopy. The results of this study indicate that grit-blasted tit
anium surfaces provide an excellent surface for bone-implant integrati
on.