Influence of ceramic phosphate powders on the physicochemical and biological properties of poly(l-lactide)

Abstract

In the present work, the attention is focused on cannulated, biodegradable olives made of poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) and PLLA with the addition of phosphate ceramics. The olive is an element expanding the intramedullary nail intended to be implantation the humerus bone. During degradation, the olive reduces the diameter of the nail, while ensuring the best conditions for the growth of bone tissue. The article examines the effect of the addition of tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HAp) on morphology, chemical structure, physicochemical and biological properties of PLLA during storage in a degradation medium imitating the natural environment of the human body. The introduction of β-TCP+HAp into PLLA led to significant changes in both surface morphology, chemical structure and physicochemical properties, which contributed to the faster course of the biodegradation of the orthopedic implant. Due to this process, it was found that the PLLA composite with phosphate ceramics can be successfully used in this application. Clinical studies have shown that the implantation of olive made of PLLA+β-TCP+HAp does not cause any negative systemic reactions. The orthopedic implant was biodegradable and significantly contributes to bone union.