On the applicability of bovine morsellized cortico-cancellous bone as a substitute for human morsellized cortico-cancellous bone for in vitro mechanical testing

Morsellized cortico-cancellous bone (MCB) is frequently used in orthopaedic revision surgery to restore lost bone stock. In this study, we examine the validity of using bovine MCB as a substitute for human MCB in in vitro mechanical testing of bone grafts. The paper describes the fat and water content of impacted and unimpacted human and bovine MCB. During this work we applied constrained compression testing to describe the elastic, plastic and time dependent response. Nearly all parameters were found to be significantly different and were influenced differently by impaction for the two types of MCB. The denser trabecular structure, higher fat content of bovine MCB and higher stiffness and compressive strength of cortical bovine bone may explain the differences observed. Consequently we are not confident about the applicability of bovine MCB as a substitute for human MCB for in vitro mechanical testing.