Patent ID: 7501073

Claim:
A method of providing a metallic orthopaedic implant with a micron or nanometer-scale surface roughness to facilitate acceptance of tissue and bone growth or apposition after implantation, which method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a metallic orthopaedic implant comprising a metallic body having a surface and metallic elements adhered to at least a portion of the surface of the metallic body to define a three-dimensional porous surface geometry and (b) exposing at least a portion of the surface and metallic elements to an etching solution comprising (i) at least one fluoride salt, (ii) at least one acid selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid and mixtures thereof, (iii) a sulfate salt, and (iv) water for a time and under conditions sufficient to etch the surface and provide the implant with micron or nanometer-scale surface roughness, wherein the acid is present in the etching solution at a concentration of 0.1 N or more.