A radiological study of bone remodeling with two different types of porous β-tricalcium phosphate in humans

In this study we compared the bone remodeling of unidirectional (UDPTCP) and spherical porous β-tricalcium phosphate (SPTCP) radiologically in humans. We performed a retrospective analysis of the data of 14 patients (sex, nine men and five women; age, 37–70 years) who underwent medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) and were followed up for 12 months after surgery. Two wedge-shaped β-TCPs (one UDPTCP and one SPTCP) were cut and placed parallel to each other in the gap. In Group A (eight knees), UDPTCP was implanted anteriorly and SPTCP posteriorly, while in Group B (six knees), SPTCP was implanted anteriorly and UDPTCP posteriorly. Computed tomography (CT) was performed at 1 week, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery, with the CT attenuation values calculated for UDPTCP and SPTCP. In Groups A and B, the CT attenuation values for UDPTCP were significantly lower at 6 and 12 months after surgery compared to those at 1 week (P < 0.05); nevertheless, no statistical difference in the comparison with SPTCP was observed. After a short-term follow-up of 12 months following MOWHTO, UDPTCP provided earlier bone remodeling than SPTCP. This outcome was achieved regardless of the position, anterior or posterior, in the MOWHTO gap.