Biomaterials for Adhesion in Orthopedic Applications: A Review

Abstract

Abstract Adhesive biomaterials, historically, have had a wide range of applications in all medical fields. With the extensive variety of biomaterials with adhesion properties, the field of orthopedics benefits from using adhesives which can provide superior biocompatibility, resorbability, and low immunogenicity. The goal of this review is to serve as a reference of the types of adhesive biomaterials used clinically and their specific applicability in the field of orthopedics. The applications of adhesive biomaterials in orthopedics are as scaffolds, filler materials to treat bone defects and as carrier materials to deposit other bioactive materials to a site. First, we review the history and background of adhesive biomaterials and some of their general applications in orthopedics. Then we focus on the various types of adhesive biomaterials which include fibrin, collagen, polyurethane, epoxy resin, cyanoacrylates, polyesters and polymethylmethacrylate, all of which are excellent candidates for the field of orthopedics. We discuss their properties, current applications in all fields, and advantages and disadvantages found in some studies. Lastly, we indicate some future directions for adhesive biomaterials in orthopedics and highlight their advantages over conventional biomaterials in orthopedics.