REMODELABLE ORTHOPAEDIC SPACER AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remodelable spacer for use in a bone plating procedure, which is fabricated from an extracellular matrix material. SOLUTION: An orthopaedic implant 10 comprises a bone plate 12, and a remodelable spacer 14 and the spacer 14 is positioned between the bone plate 12 and a bone 16 when the bone plate 12 is fixed to the bone 16. The bone plate 12 includes an elongated body with a plurality of screw holes 18 defined. The remodelable spacer 14 includes a plurality of sheets of extracellular matrix material. The extracellular matrix material is made to be a foothold for the repair and healing of a tissue when used for fabricating the remodelable spacer 14, thereby facilitating the healing of the periosteum and promoting the attachment of the fractured bone. The usage of the extracellular matrix material in fabricating the remodelable spacer shows a function as a biological interface for protecting the periosteum, and reduces stress block and the risk of infection. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT