title: Biodegradable implants in fracture fixation: early results of treatment of fractures of the ankle.
abstract: Biodegradable polylactide-glycolide copolymer implants for fracture fixation were developed and tested in rabbits. In a prospective clinical study 44 patients with a displaced fracture of the ankle were randomly allocated to two groups; one was treated with conventional metallic implants and the other with the biodegradable implants. There were no differences between the two groups in the early results, but the biodegradable fixation method is advantageous because the removal procedure associated with metallic implants is avoided.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rokkanen
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Böstman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vainionpää
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vihtonen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Törmälä
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laiho
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kilpikari
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tamminmäki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D005360:Fibula / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011098:Polyglactin 910; D011108:Polymers; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D011098:Polyglactin 910