Fig. 3

a Radiological examination of Normal control, Normal + TOB + CPB; red arrow indicates evident bone formation, remodelling of the bone, dissolution of the CPB and filling of the bone defect with mineral component of the CPB 28 days postoperative. Radiological examination of S. aureus + TOB + CPB (group 5); white arrow indicates area of the normal bone to be incised and radiological condition of the bone before incision; green arrow indicates incision point (bone defect) and implanted TOB incorporated CPB; red arrow indicates inhibition of inflammation by TOB, new bone formation, remodelling of bone, dissolution of CPB and filling of the bone defect with mineral component of CPB 28 dpi. b Radiological examination of S. aureus infected group (group 3); green arrow indicates point of incision (bone defect) and bacteria inoculation spot; red arrow indicates swelling due to inflammatory edema, abscess formation, soft tissue abnormality, inflammation, periosteal reaction, bone destruction, osteomalacia at 28 dpi (osteomyelitis formation). Radiological examination of S. aureus + CPB group (group 4); white arrow indicates area of the normal bone to be incised and radiological condition of the bone before incision; green arrow indicates point of incision (bone defect), point of bacterial inoculation and CPB implantation; red arrow indicates swelling due to inflammatory edema, abscess formation, soft tissue abnormality, displacement of the implanted CPB from the original position due to inflammation, periosteal reaction, bone destruction and osteomalacia at 28 dpi (osteomyelitis formation), R = right tibia. c Quantification of X-ray images of experimental rabbits (groups 1–5) respectively. Error bars represent the standard error of mean. *p < 0.05