Although widely used, metallic implants have certain drawbacks in reconstructive bone surgery. Their high stiffness in respect to cortical bone can lead to complications which include periprosthetic fractures and aseptic loosening. In contrast to metallic alloys, fiber-reinforced composites (FRC) composed of a thermoset polymer matrix reinforced with continuous E-glass fibers have elastic properties matching those of bone. We investigated the mechanical properties of straight FRC tubes and FRC bone models representing the diaphysis of rabbit femur prepared from glass fiber/bisphenol A glycidyl methacrylate (BisGMA) - triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) composite in three-point bending and torsion. Three groups of straight FRC tubes with different fiber orientations were mechanically tested to determine the best design for the FRC bone model. Tube 1 consisted most axially oriented unidirectional fiber roving and fewest bidirectional fiber sleevings. Fiber composition of tube 3 was the opposite. Tube 2 had moderate composition of both fiber types. Tube 2 resisted highest stresses in the mechanical tests and its fiber composition was selected for the FRC bone model. FRC bone model specimens were then prepared and the mechanical properties were compared with those of cadaver rabbit femora. In three-point bending, FRC bone models resisted 39–54% higher maximum load than rabbit femora with similar flexural stiffness. In torsion, FRC bone models resisted 31% higher maximum torque (p < 0.001) and were 38% more rigid (p = 0.001) than rabbit femora. Glass fiber-reinforced composites have good biocompatibility and from a biomechanical perspective, they could be used even in reconstruction of segmental diaphyseal defects. Development of an implant applicable for clinical use requires further studies.

尽管被广泛使用，但是金属植入物在重建性骨外科手术中具有某些缺点。它们相对于皮质骨的高刚度可能导致并发症，包括假体周围骨折和无菌性松动。与金属合金相比，由热固性聚合物基体制成的纤维增强复合材料（FRC）用连续的E-玻璃纤维增​​强后，具有与骨骼相匹配的弹性。我们研究了由玻璃纤维/双酚A甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯（BisGMA）-三乙二醇二甲基丙烯酸酯（TEGDMA）复合材料制备的兔股骨干骨的FRC直管的机械性能和FRC骨模型的三点弯曲和扭转。对三组具有不同纤维方向的直FRC管进行了机械测试，以确定FRC骨模型的最佳设计。管1由轴向最多的单向纤维粗纱和最少的双向纤维套管组成。管3的纤维组成相反。管2具有两种纤维类型的中等组成。在机械测试中，试管2承受最高的应力，并且选择了其纤维成分作为FRC骨模型。然后准备FRC骨模型标本，并与尸体兔股骨的力学性能进行比较。在三点弯曲中，FRC骨模型比具有相同弯曲刚度的兔股骨承受的最大载荷高39–54％。在扭转中，FRC骨模型的最大扭矩比兔子股骨高31％（p <0.001），刚度高38％（p = 0.001）。玻璃纤维增​​强复合材料具有良好的生物相容性，并且从生物力学的角度来看，它们甚至可以用于节段性骨干缺损的重建。适用于临床用途的植入物的开发需要进一步的研究。