LONG-TERM RADIOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF TITANIUM IMPLANTS IN THE HUMAN TIBIA

Thirty-five screw-shaped implants of pure titanium inserted into the u pper tibia of OA and RA patients were examined with high-resolution ra diography after removal, 4-78 months after insertion. Thirty-four out of 35 implants were osseointegrated. There was no evidence that the ti tanium implants influenced the trabecular density or architecture in t he surrounding bone, nor was more bone formed around the implants afte r a prolonged period of implantation.