Particulate generation in plasma sprayed hydroxyapatite coatings

A hydroxyapatite coated femoral stem, matching a retrieved recovered from a case of third body wear, was analysed to investigate particle release from the hydroxyapatite coating. The stem was sectioned into 12 pieces, mounted in epoxy resin and polished to reveal the microstructure. One section was analysed with X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy. It was found that the coating contained a large amorphous phase content indicating that the coating has the potential for rapid dissolution. The small crystalline particles in the coating were mainly in the 1-8 micron size range. Exposure to dilute nitric acid showed that the coating is capable of releasing particles into the peri-implant area.