MONOLITHIC ORTHOPEDIC IMPLANT WITH AN ARTICULAR FINISHED SURFACE

• US 20100256758A1
• Filed: 04/02/2009
• Published: 10/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Catharon Products Intellectual Property, LLC (Fred DuFresne)
• Original Assignee: Synvasive Technology Incorporated (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Johnson, Paul R., Johannaber, Kenneth D., GORDON, Jeffrey D., Fisher, Michael G.
• Application Number:
  US12/417,374
• Publication Number:
  US 20100256758A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/16.110
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 2008/0046 Textured surface, e.g. roughness, microstructure A61C8/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/28 Bones joints A61F2/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30756 Cartilage endoprostheses A61F2/3603 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/32 for the hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0086 for preferentially controlling or promoting the growth of specific types of cells or tissues of bone tissue onto implantable joints A61F2002/3093
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30011 differing in porosity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30205 conical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30207 Double convex cones, i.e. element having two convex cones, one at each of its opposite ends
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30214 having tapered sections of different conicities
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30215 Stepped cones, i.e. having discrete diameter changes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30224 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30233 Stepped cylinders, i.e. having discrete diameter changes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30235 tubular, e.g. sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30301 saddle-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3065 Details of the ball-shaped head
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30655 Non-spherical concave inner surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30759 Mosaicplasty, i.e. using a plurality of individual cartilage plugs for filling a substantial cartilage defect
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30766 Scaffolds for cartilage ingrowth and regeneration
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30878 with non-sharp protrusions, for instance contacting the bone for anchoring, e.g. keels, pegs, pins, posts, shanks, stems, struts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3092 : having an open-celled or open-pored structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3093 : for promoting ingrowth of bone tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30934 : Special articulating surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0067 : conical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0095 : Saddle-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0023 : differing in porosity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00161 : Carbon; Graphite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00179 : Ceramics or ceramic-like structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00239 : containing zirconia or zirconium oxide ZrO2
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00574 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of carbon, e.g. of pyrocarbon
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/0058 : Coating made of diamond or of diamond-like carbon DLC
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00592 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of ceramics or of ceramic-like compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00796 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. hydroxy(l)apatite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00928 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of glass or of glass-containing compounds, e.g. of bioglass
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00976 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of proteins or of polypeptides, e.g. of bone morphogenic proteins BMP or of transforming growth factors TGF

Abstract

A monolithic orthopedic implant including a porous region having a form of interconnected porosity similar to cancellous bone to promote skeletal fixation by bone ingrowth, a transition region adjacent to and integrally joined to the porous region, the transition region having a form of interconnected porosity similar to subchondral bone, a substantially dense region integrally joined to the transition region and having a perimeter, and a surface on the substantially dense region, the surface having a finish adapted for articulation against native articular cartilage.

Claims

1. A monolithic orthopedic implant comprising:

a porous region having a form of interconnected porosity similar to cancellous bone to promote skeletal fixation by bone ingrowth;

a transition region adjacent to and integrally joined to the porous region and having a form of interconnected porosity similar to subchondral bone;

a substantially dense region integrally joined to the transition region and having a perimeter; and

a surface on the substantially dense region, the surface having a finish adapted for articulation against native articular cartilage.

2. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the porous region has a porosity gradient that increases as a distance from the substantially dense region increases.

3. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the porous region, the transition region, the substantially dense region, and the surface are non-resorbable.

4. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the porous region, the transition region, the substantially dense region, and the surface have a Vickers hardness of 500 MPa or greater, a nickel content of less than 4%, and a chrome content of less than 10%.

5. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the substantially dense region is formed of a material having a Vickers hardness of 1000 MPa or greater and having a bulk porosity of 4% or less, or a material having a Vickers hardness of 1200 MPa or greater and having a bulk porosity of 0.1% or less.

6. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the surface is finished to a roughness of 6 micrometers R_a or less.

7. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the surface is finished to a roughness of 0.025 micrometers R_a or less.

8. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the porous region comprises a three dimensional framework of structural members with interstitial interconnected passages there between.

9. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the porous region has interconnected pore passageways each having a dimension less than 1000 micrometers.

10. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the porous region has interconnected pore passageways each having a dimension between 200 and 600 micrometers.

11. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the substantially dense region is formed of materials chosen from the group consisting of oxides, nitrides, carbides, or borides or any combination thereof.

12. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the porous region is formed from materials from the group consisting of oxides, carbides, nitrides, or borides or any combination thereof.

13. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the transition region is formed from materials from the group consisting of oxides, carbides, nitrides, or borides or any combination thereof.

14. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 11 wherein the porous region is formed from materials from the group consisting of oxides, carbides, nitrides, or borides or any combination thereof.

15. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 14 wherein the transition region is formed from materials from the group consisting of oxides, carbides, nitrides, or borides or any combination thereof.

16. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the substantially dense region comprises a coated metal consisting of oxidized-, nitrided-, carburized- or boronized-titanium, zirconium, hafnium, tantalum, or molybdenum or any combination thereof.

17. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the porous region comprises a coated metal consisting of oxidized-, nitrided-, carburized- or boronized-titanium, zirconium, hafnium, tantalum, or molybdenum or any combination thereof.

18. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the transition region comprises a coated metal consisting of oxidized-, nitrided-, carburized- or boronized-titanium, zirconium, hafnium, tantalum, or molybdenum or any combination thereof.

19. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 16 wherein the porous region further comprises a coated metal consisting of oxidized-, nitrided-, carburized- or boronized-titanium, zirconium, hafnium, tantalum, or molybdenum or any combination thereof.

20. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 17 wherein the transition region further comprises a coated metal consisting of oxidized-, nitrided-, carburized- or boronized-titanium, zirconium, hafnium, tantalum, or molybdenum or any combination thereof.

21. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the substantially dense region comprises a material chosen from the group consisting of partially stabilized zirconia, alumina, silicon nitride, or SiAlON or any combination thereof.

22. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the porous region is formed of materials chosen from the group consisting of partially stabilized zirconia, alumina, silica, silicon nitride, SiAlON, tantalum, titanium, or zirconium or any combination thereof.

23. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the transition region is formed of materials chosen from the group consisting of partially stabilized zirconia, alumina, silica, silicon nitride, SiAlON, tantalum, titanium, or zirconium or any combination thereof.

24. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 21 wherein the porous region is formed of materials chosen from the group consisting of partially stabilized zirconia, alumina, silica, silicon nitride, SiAlON, tantalum, titanium, or zirconium or any combination thereof.

25. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 24 wherein the transition region is formed of materials chosen from the group consisting of partially stabilized zirconia, alumina, silica, silicon nitride, SiAlON, tantalum, titanium, or zirconium or any combination thereof.

26. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the transition region is formed of a combination of materials used to the form the porous region and the substantially dense region.

27. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the porous region has a bulk porosity of 50% or greater.

28. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 27 wherein the transition region has a relatively lower porosity than the porous region to provide strength and to support capillary movement of fluid between cancellous bone and articular cartilage.

29. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the monolithic orthopedic implant is adapted for a femoral knee prosthesis, a tibial knee prosthesis, a patellar knee prosthesis, a femoral head hip prosthesis, an acetabular hip prosthesis, a finger or thumb prosthesis, a wrist or ankle prosthesis, a shoulder prosthesis, a toe prosthesis, a spine prosthesis, or an elbow prosthesis.

30. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the transition region surrounds a portion of the perimeter of the substantially dense region.

31. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the substantially dense region comprises at least one protrusion or at least one indentation.

32. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the perimeter of the substantially dense region comprises at least one protrusion or at least one indentation.

33. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the porous region has a cylindrical plug shape.

34. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the porous region has a tapered plug shape.

35. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the porous region has an opening on the bottom and a hollow interior.

36. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the perimeter of the substantially dense region comprises roughness to promote healing of articular cartilage.

37. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 36 wherein the roughness is 6 micrometers Ra or less.

38. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 36 wherein the roughness is greater than 6 micrometers Ra.

39. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the perimeter comprises a hydrophilic surface.

40. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the perimeter comprises a charged surface.

41. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the perimeter comprises a bioactive mineral coating to promote healing of articular cartilage.

42. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 41 wherein the bioactive mineral coating comprises hydroxyapatite, bioglass, or a form of calcium phosphate, or any combination thereof.

43. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the perimeter comprises a bioengineered coating consisting of a blood derived product, fibrin glue, fibrin clot, protein, a peptide, collagen, impregnated autologous chondrocytes, a pharmaceutical agent, or any combination thereof.

44. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein a top surface of the porous region is larger than the substantially dense region so that the top surface of the porous region extends beyond the substantially dense region.

45. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein a top surface of the porous region is smaller than the substantially dense region so that the substantially dense region overhangs the porous region.

46. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the perimeter of the substantially dense region has a polygonal shape.

47. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 46 wherein the polygonal shape is a triangle, a rectangle, a pentagon, or a hexagon.

48. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the perimeter of the substantially dense region is beveled.

49. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 48 wherein the substantially dense region has relatively the same dimensions, larger dimensions, or smaller dimensions than a top surface of the porous region.

50. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the perimeter of the substantially dense region is reverse beveled.

51. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 50 wherein the substantially dense region has relatively the same dimensions, larger dimensions, or smaller dimensions than a top surface of the porous region.

52. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the surface has a relative concave spherical shape.

53. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the surface has a relative concave shape having a radius in one plane.

54. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the surface has a relative concave shape having two differing radii in two orthogonal planes.

55. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the surface has a concave shape in one plane and a convex shape in an orthogonal plane.

56. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the surface has a convex spherical shape.

57. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the surface has a convex shape having a radius in one plane.

58. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the surface has a convex shape having two differing radii in two orthogonal planes.

59. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the porous region comprises roughness to promote bone ingrowth for bone fixation.

60. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 59 wherein the roughness is characterized by a frictional coefficient greater than 0.5.

61. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1:

wherein the porous region comprises a three dimensional framework of structural members with interstitial interconnected passages there between;

wherein each structural member is similar in size to a trabecula in bone; and

wherein each structural member has a surface roughness.

62. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the porous region comprises a hydrophilic surface.

63. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the porous region comprises a charged surface.

64. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the porous region comprises a bioactive mineral coating to promote bone ingrowth for bone fixation.

65. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 64 wherein the bioactive mineral coating comprises hydroxyapatite, bioglass, or a form of calcium phosphate or any combination thereof.

66. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the porous region comprises a bioengineered coating to promote bone ingrowth for bone fixation.

67. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 66 wherein the bioengineered coating consists of a protein or a peptide, or any combination thereof.

68. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the substantially dense region has a first thickness matching a second thickness of surrounding native articular cartilage.

69. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the porous region comprises a plurality of projections.

70. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein the monolithic orthopedic implant has a shape having different dimensions in orthogonal planes for a regional implant.

71. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 70 wherein the porous region has a tapered perimeter.

72. The monolithic orthopedic implant of claim 1 wherein:

the substantially dense region has a shell like shape; and

the porous region has a shell-like shape having a hollow interior.

73. An orthopedic implant comprising:

a porous region having a form of interconnected porosity similar to cancellous bone to promote skeletal fixation by bone ingrowth; and

a transition region adjacent to and integrally joined to the porous region, the transition region having a form of porosity similar to subchondral bone;

wherein the transition region is adapted to function with a scaffold to promote regeneration of articular cartilage; and

wherein the porous region and the transition region are non-resorbable.

74. The orthopedic implant of claim 73 further comprising:

a scaffold coupled to the transition region and comprising collagen, protein, a resorbable material, copolymer resorbable material, a mineral, hydrogel, living cells, or articular cartilage or any combination thereof.

75. The orthopedic implant of claim 73 wherein the transition region has a roughness to promote healing of articular cartilage.

76. The orthopedic implant of claim 73 wherein the transition region comprises a hydrophilic surface.

77. The orthopedic implant of claim 73 wherein the transition region comprises a charged surface.

78. The orthopedic implant of claim 73 wherein the transition region comprises a bioactive mineral coating to promote healing of articular cartilage.

79. The orthopedic implant of claim 78 wherein the bioactive mineral coating comprises hydroxyapatite, bioglass, or a form of calcium phosphate, or any combination thereof.

80. The orthopedic implant of claim 73 wherein the transition region comprises a bioengineered coating consisting of a blood derived product, fibrin glue, a fibrin clot, protein, a peptide, collagen, impregnated autologous chondrocytes (cartilage cells), or any combination thereof.

81. The orthopedic implant of claim 73 wherein the porous region comprises a three dimensional framework of structural members with interstitial interconnected passages there between;

wherein each of the structural members is similar in size to a trabecula in bone.

82. The orthopedic implant of claim 73 wherein the porous region has interconnected pore passageways each having a dimension less than 1000 micrometers.

83. The orthopedic implant of claim 73 wherein the porous region has interconnected pore passageways each having a dimension between 200 and 600 micrometers.

84. The orthopedic implant of claim 73 wherein the porous region is formed from materials from the group consisting of oxides, carbides, nitrides, or borides or any combination thereof.

85. The orthopedic implant of claim 73 wherein the transition region is formed from materials from the group consisting of oxides, carbides, nitrides, or borides or any combination thereof.

86. The orthopedic implant of claim 73 wherein the porous region comprises a material chosen from the group consisting of partially stabilized zirconia, alumina, silicon nitride or SiAlON or any combination thereof.

87. The orthopedic implant of claim 73 wherein the transition region comprises a material chosen from the group consisting of partially stabilized zirconia, alumina, silicon nitride or SiAlON or any combination thereof.

88. The orthopedic implant of claim 73 wherein the porous region has a roughness to promote bone ingrowth for bone fixation.

89. The orthopedic implant of claim 88 wherein the roughness is characterized by a frictional coefficient greater than 0.5.

90. The orthopedic implant of claim 73:

wherein the porous region comprises a three dimensional framework of structural members with interstitial interconnected passages there between;

wherein each structural member is similar in size to a trabecula in bone; and

wherein each structural member has a surface roughness.

91. The orthopedic implant of claim 73 wherein the porous region comprises a hydrophilic surface.

92. The orthopedic implant of claim 73 wherein the porous region comprises a charged surface.

93. The orthopedic implant of claim 73 wherein the porous region comprises a bioactive mineral coating to promote bone ingrowth for bone fixation.

94. The orthopedic implant of claim 93 wherein the bioactive mineral coating comprises hydroxyapatite, bioglass, or a form of calcium phosphate or any combination thereof.

95. The orthopedic implant of claim 73 wherein the porous region comprises a bioengineered coating to promote bone ingrowth for bone fixation.

96. The orthopedic implant of claim 95 wherein the bioengineered coating consists of a protein or a peptide or any combination thereof.

97. The orthopedic implant of claim 73 wherein the porous region has an opening on the bottom and a hollow interior.

98. A dental implant comprising:

a porous region having a form of interconnected porosity similar to cancellous bone to promote skeletal fixation by bone ingrowth; and

a substantially dense region integrally joined to the porous region, the substantially dense region having a top surface and a perimeter;

wherein the top surface and the perimeter are adapted to be compatible with oral gum tissue; and

wherein the porous region and the substantially dense region are non-resorbable.

99. A method of forming a monolithic orthopedic implant comprising:

forming a porous region having a form of interconnected porosity similar to cancellous bone to promote skeletal fixation by bone ingrowth;

forming a transition region adjacent to and integrally joined to the porous region, the transition region having a form of interconnected porosity similar to subchondral bone;

forming a substantially dense region integrally joined to the transition region and having a perimeter; and

forming a surface on the substantially dense region, the surface having a finish adapted for articulation against native articular cartilage;

wherein the porous region has a porosity gradient that increases as a distance from the substantially dense region increases; and

wherein the porous region, the transition region and the substantially dense region are non-resorbable.

100. The method of claim 99 wherein forming the surface on the substantially dense region comprises thermal processing the substantially dense region.

101. The method of claim 99 wherein the substantially dense region is formed of materials chosen from the group consisting of oxides, nitrides, carbides or borides, or includes a metal consisting of oxidized-, nitrided-, carburized- or boronized-titanium, zirconium, hafnium, tantalum or molybdenum, or is a material chosen from the group consisting of partially stabilized zirconia, alumina, silicon nitride or SiAlON, or any combination thereof.

102. The method of claim 99 wherein forming the surface on the substantially dense region comprises thermal processing the monolithic orthopedic implant.

103. The method of claim 99 wherein forming the surface on the substantially dense region comprises depositing a material on the substantially dense region.

104. The method of claim 103 wherein the deposited material is pyrolytic carbon, or diamond-like carbon.

105. The method of claim 99 wherein forming the surface on the substantially dense region comprises coating a material on the substantially dense region.

106. The method of claim 105 wherein the coated material is ceramic or ceramic like.

107. The method of claim 99 wherein forming the surface on the substantially dense region comprises forming at least one protrusion or at least one indentation on the substantially dense region.

108. The method of claim 99 wherein forming the substantially dense region comprises forming at least one protrusion or at least one indentation on the substantially dense region.

109. The method of claim 99 wherein forming the porous region or forming the transition region comprises oxidizing a fugitive material.

110. The method of claim 99 wherein forming the porous region or forming the transition region comprises dissolving a fugitive material.

111. The method of claim 99 wherein forming the porous region or forming the transition region comprises using a lost foam process.

112. The method of claim 99 wherein forming the porous region or forming the transition region comprises using a solid freeform fabrication process.

113. The method of claim 99 wherein forming the porous region or forming the transition region comprises using a foaming process.

114. The method of claim 99 further comprising fabricating a desired geometrical form for the porous region, the transition region and the substantially dense region by milling, turning, grinding or other machining processes.

115. The method of claim 114 wherein fabricating a desired geometrical form further comprises accounting for shrinkage of 10% or greater following milling, turning, grinding or other machining processes.

116. The method of claim 114 wherein fabricating a desired geometrical form comprises fabricating a femoral knee prosthesis, a tibial knee prosthesis, a patellar knee prosthesis, a femoral head hip prosthesis, an acetabular hip prosthesis, a finger or thumb prosthesis, a wrist or ankle prosthesis, a shoulder prosthesis, a toe prosthesis, a spine prosthesis, or an elbow prosthesis.

117. The method of claim 99 wherein the porous region, the transition region and the substantially dense region have a Vickers hardness of 500 MPa or greater, a nickel content of less than 4%, and a chrome content of less than 10%.

118. The method of claim 99 wherein the porous region, the transition region and the substantially dense region comprise non-resorbable ceramic.

119. A method of orthopedic surgery comprising:

removing a portion of the articular cartilage at an implant site;

forming a socket in bone underlying the articular cartilage to a depth placing the surface of the substantially dense region of the monolithic implant approximately flush to the articular cartilage at the implant site; and

implanting a monolithic orthopedic implant into the socket, the monolithic orthopedic implant comprising;

a porous region having a form of interconnected porosity similar to cancellous bone to promote skeletal fixation by bone ingrowth;

a transition region adjacent to and integrally joined to the porous region, the transition region having a form of interconnected porosity similar to subchondral bone;

a substantially dense region integrally joined to the transition region; and

a surface on the substantially dense region, the surface having a finish adapted for articulation against native articular cartilage;

wherein the porous region, the transition region, the substantially dense region, and the surface are non-resorbable.

120. The method of claim 119 further comprising:

implanting a plurality of monolithic orthopedic implants adjacent to one another and approximately flush to the articular cartilage at the implant site to create a nearly continuous articular surface;

wherein the substantially dense region of each monolithic orthopedic implant has a polygon shaped perimeter.

121. The method of claim 119 wherein the porous region comprises a plurality of projections.

122. The method of claim 119 wherein the monolithic orthopedic implant has a shape having different dimensions in orthogonal planes for a regional implant.

123. The method of claim 122 wherein the porous region has a tapered perimeter.

124. The method of claim 119 wherein:

the substantially dense region has a shell like shape; and

the porous region has a shell-like shape having a hollow interior.

125. The method of claim 119 wherein the porous region, the substantially dense region, and the surface comprise non-resorbable ceramic.

126. An orthopedic implant comprising a three dimensional framework of structural members with interstitial interconnected passages there between;

wherein each structural member comprises non-resorbable ceramic; and

wherein each structural member is similar in size to a trabecula in bone.

127. The orthopedic implant of claim 126 wherein the interior of the orthopedic implant is hollow.

128. The orthopedic implant of claim 126 wherein each structural member has a roughness to promote bone ingrowth for bone fixation.

129. The orthopedic implant of claim 128 wherein the roughness is characterized by a frictional coefficient greater than 0.5.

130. The orthopedic implant of claim 126 wherein the framework has a roughness.

131. The orthopedic implant of claim 126 wherein the framework comprises a hydrophilic surface.

132. The orthopedic implant of claim 126 wherein the framework comprises a charged surface.

133. The orthopedic implant of claim 126 wherein the framework comprises a bioactive mineral coating to promote bone ingrowth for bone fixation.

134. The orthopedic implant of claim 133 wherein the bioactive mineral coating comprises hydroxyapatite, bioglass, or a form of calcium phosphate or any combination thereof.

135. The orthopedic implant of claim 126 wherein the framework comprises a bioengineered coating consisting of a protein, a peptide or any combination thereof.

136. The orthopedic implant of claim 126 wherein the framework has interconnected pore passageways each having a dimension less than 1000 micrometers.

137. The orthopedic implant of claim 126 wherein the framework has interconnected pore passageways each having a dimension between 200 and 600 micrometers.

138. The orthopedic implant of claim 126 wherein the framework is formed from materials from the group consisting of oxides, carbides, nitrides, or borides or any combination thereof.

139. The orthopedic implant of claim 126 wherein the framework comprises a coated metal consisting of oxidized-, nitrided-, carburized- or boronized-titanium, zirconium, hafnium, tantalum, or molybdenum or any combination thereof.

140. The orthopedic implant of claim 126 wherein the framework is formed of materials chosen from the group consisting of partially stabilized zirconia, alumina, silica, silicon nitride, SiAlON, tantalum, titanium, or zirconium or any combination thereof.

141. The orthopedic implant of claim 126 wherein the framework has a bulk porosity of 50% or greater.

142. The orthopedic implant of claim 126 wherein the orthopedic implant is adapted to restore the metaphyseal region in the end of a long bone making up a skeletal joint.