Osseointegration
Pronunciation: oss-ee-oh-in-teh-GRAY-shun
The direct structural and functional bonding of a titanium implant to living bone, used in prosthetics to create a percutaneous anchor for limb attachment.
Full Definition
Osseointegration is a process by which a titanium implant bonds directly with bone tissue without an intervening soft-tissue layer, creating a stable, load-bearing interface. In prosthetics, osseointegrated implants serve as percutaneous abutments through the skin, allowing a prosthetic limb to be attached directly to the skeleton, eliminating the need for a conventional socket. This method improves proprioception and eliminates many socket-related skin problems. Editors will encounter the term in surgical reports, clinical trial publications, and device regulatory submissions. Note the spelling: 'osseointegration,' not 'oseointegration' or 'ossio-integration.'
Usage
Usage note: Spell as one unhyphenated word: 'osseointegration.' The term originates from dental implant literature (Brånemark) and has been adopted into prosthetics. Do not confuse with 'endoprosthesis,' which refers to any internally placed prosthetic device.
In Context
- "The systematic review evaluated outcomes of osseointegration for transfemoral amputees over a ten-year follow-up period." — Peer-reviewed systematic review
- "The regulatory submission described the osseointegration implant's biocompatibility testing in compliance with ISO 10993 standards." — Medical device regulatory submission