Abstract
INTRODUCTION: In recent years there has been an increasing interest in biologically active calcium phosphate ceramic materials for orthopaedic application. A number of materials from human, animal or non-biological sources have been used to fill defects with or without additional autogenus bone. It would be ideal to have bone substitute which is easily fabricated and preserved, is biocompatible with bone, and is biodegradable. The calcium phosphate system, and in particular hydroxyappatite (HA), has long been the subject of intensive investigation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This observational two year study was undertaken at S. N. Medical College and Hospital, Agra (U. P.). The patients having the comminuted fracture of the long bone of lower limbs were treated with autogenus bone graft and calcium hydroxy Apatite bone block. Functional results were presented according to Klemm and Borner (1986) criteria. RESULTS: The total cases studied were 25 out of which 21 cases had fracture of both bones of leg and 4 were of fracture femur. The patients were aged between 15 to 70 years. Most of the patients were males and the common mode of injury was road traffic accident. An excellent result were seen in the majority 9(36%) of patients while 8(32%) patients showed a good result and 6(24%) showed a fair result. 17(68%) patients had compound fracture while 8(32%) patients were having closed fracture. CONCLUSION: Calcium Hydroxy Apatite is a suitable alternative to bone graft. There was no evidence of any foreign body reaction and infection at the Calcium Hydroxy Apatite implanted site. There was satisfactory healing of all the comminuted fractures. The movement of adjacent joints was nearly normal. No refracture was observed on follow up.