BONE-MEMBRANE INTERFACE IN ASEPTIC LOOSENING OF TOTAL JOINT ARTHROPLASTIES

In 19 patients who underwent revision arthroplasty for aseptic looseni ng of total joint arthroplasty, specimens were taken at the time of op eration to include the bone-membrane interface. In 16 (84%) of the spe cimens, sufficient visualization of the interface was possible to allo w histologic interpretation. In 13 of these cases, there was prominent evidence of classic bone remodeling with osteoclast-mediated resorpti on and active new bone formation. These results suggest that the osteo lysis in aseptic loosening is mediated through osteoclastic bone resor ption and that the bone found in such areas is extremely active. The f indings help to explain the efficacy of impacted morselized bone-graft in the treatment of bone lysis in aseptic loosening.