Effects of different intensities of intermittent pneumatic soft-tissue compression on bone defect repair

Background To estimate the effects of different intensities of intermittent pneumatic soft-tissue compression on bone defect repair in an animal model. Methods Five mm radial bone defect in length was made in 64 mature New Zealand rabbits and all animals randomly assigned into four groups: Group A (control group without compression), Group B (5–7 kPa intensity), Group C (8–10 kPa intensity) and Group D (11–13 kPa intensity). On the fourth day after surgery, their legs were intermittently pneumatic compressed for 4 weeks. The stimulation lasted 30 min every day and the frequency of compression was 15 Hz. New bone formation in 4 groups was evaluated by gross observation, X-ray, Micro-CT, and histological staining at 2 and 4 weeks after surgery. Result There was more new bony callus in the bone defect in group C than in other groups by gross observation and X-ray radiography at 2 and 4 weeks. The Micro-CT results showed more new bony callus, bone trabecula and higher bone mineral density in group C. Fluorescent labeling results showed the speed of new bone formation in Group C was faster than that in other groups, among which the control group had the slowest speed of new bone formation. The result of histology had shown that the trabeculae in bone callus in group C had a regular form, the trabeculae were wide and had a more become osteoblast around them. Conclusion The intermittent pneumatic soft-tissue compression can accelerate new bone formation of bone defects and the optimal intensity is 8–10 kPa for repairing the rabbit radial bone defect.