Abstract
The development of synthetic biomaterials for bone fixations has greatly enhanced orthopedic surgery efficiency over the last two decades. With the advancement in medical technology, several materials such as metals, ceramics, polymers and composites have been considered over the years for possible implantation into the body. These materials however, must have the following required properties that will qualify them as potential medical devices: biocompatibility, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, creep resistance, etc. The quest in making up for the disadvantages of metallic fixations has culminated in a paradigm shift to the use of biodegradable polymers. Biodegradable polymers are light-weight materials with low elastic moduli between 0.4 - 7 GPa. These materials can be engineered to degrade at rates that will slowly transfer load to the bone. In addition, complications like corrosion, release of metal ions and stress shielding associated with metal implants are eliminated. This review considers studies carried out on most commonly investigated and widely used synthetic biodegradable polymers, their successes and limitations. It also provides process for efficient utilization of these polymers as bone fixtures without inflammation and stress shielding.
Highlights
In orthopedic surgery, biomaterials such as metals, ceramics, polymers and composites are being considered as implants that can intimate contact with living tissues [1] [2]
With the gel permeation chromatography (GPC), decrease in molecular weight (Mw) was observed after 2 weeks and the results showed that Mw loss occurred between the 18th and 20th weeks as a result of gradual breakage of polymer chains during hydrolysis
In vitro degradation results showed that hydrolysis of PHB is slow as its molecular weight loss decreases by 1.5% after a year in buffer solution at 37 ̊C while the degradation of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) was much faster
Summary
Biomaterials such as metals, ceramics, polymers and composites are being considered as implants that can intimate contact with living tissues [1] [2]. This has been attributed to the residual screw holes and to the adverse effect of rigid plates on bones which leads to the development of stress protection atrophy. A fractured bone fixed with a non-biodegradable stainless steel implant has a tendency for re-fracture on removal [12] With this fixture, the bone does not carry sufficient load during the healing process because the stainless steel does that. The bone does not carry sufficient load during the healing process because the stainless steel does that Another issue with the use of metallic implants is the risk of inflammation and infections on body tissues caused by their toxic corrosion products [13]-[15]. L-isomer exists in carbohydrate metabolism while the D-isomer is found in acidic milk [21]
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