Through the use of two animal models, the present study demonstrates the ab
ility of phosphonylated surfaces to bind bone. In one model, surface-treate
d polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) were implanted in the medial cor
tex of the goat tibia. In the second model, surface-treated poly(ether-ethe
r ketone) (PEEK) and carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK (CFR-PEEK) were implanted
through both cortices of the goat mandible. Selected rods of all material
types were microtextured using crystallization induced microphase separatio
n, a method for the formation of continuous, open-cell microporous surfaces
in thermoplastic polymers.' Microtextured and smooth rods were phosphonyla
ted, and calcium was subsequently introduced to the phosphonylated surface
by incubating the samples in a saturated solution of calcium oxide.(2-4) Fo
r all substrate materials tested, phosphonylation and calcium posttreatment
resulted in an increased propensity for bone binding and apposition, as me
asured by push out test. Microtextured PP, PE, and CFR-PEEK surfaces that w
ere further phosphonylated and calcium treated resulted in test samples wit
h an increased interfacial strength.