Partial tarsal arthrodesis is a salvage procedure used to treat a wide range of tarsal diseases, and is associated with a high risk of complications (10-70%). The procedure involves removing cartilage and fixation with metal implants (plates), during joint fusion. We have recently developed a cadaver model for arthrodesis, and evaluated a new resorbable bone glue. The aim of this study was to: evaluate a stronger version of the bone glue (phosphoserine modified cement, PMC), in a cadaver biomechanical model of partial tarsal arthrodesis, to determine whether a “stronger”, resorbable bone adhesive produced greater joint fixation strength (24 hours), without metal hardware. Canine hind limbs were disarticulated in the tarsocrural joint, all soft tissue was dissected from the intertarsal/tarsometatarsal joints. Cartilage was removed from joints with a 2 mm burr. The glue was applied as a putty (0.4 cc) at the calcaneus-IV joint surfaces. After curing for 24 hours, a shear force was applied to the joint (AGS-X, Shimadzu, 1 mm/minute) and the failure strength was recorded. Use of adhesive was simple, and manual fixation was only required for 1-2 minutes. After 24 hours, the force needed to break the adhesive (1-1.5 cm2 joint surface, 1-2 mm displacement) ranged from 50-200 N (average 100 N/cm2), in 7 joints. This newer generation of resorbable bone glue is stronger in canine joints (previously 20-40 N bond strength), and within the range of strength needed for physiological loading during acute recovery, in live animals.
