Figure 3

Continuous radiographic evaluation in vivo. The latero-medial radiographic image of the right tibia shows the situation two weeks post operative (Figure 3A). The cranial LCP is clearly visible while the medial snakeplate is radiolucent. The screws of the snakeplate randomly include tantalum wires (note the white arrow head) which make them visible on radiographs. If no tantalum wires are included in the implant the screw is completely radiolucent (image A, white arrow). On the radiographic image 24 weeks post operative (Figure 3B) very little bone formation is visible. The cortices alongside the ostectomy gap have narrowed and no bridging has occurred. Even though in this case no load sharing occurred there are no signs of implant loosening or instability. On a radiographic image 24 weeks post operative evaluating a different tissue engineered solution (Figure 3C) bridging has occurred. It was possible to evaluate the amount of bone formation during the study in one plane.