title: Applications of biodegradable lactides and glycolides in podiatry.
abstract: A comprehensive review of the clinical applications and the properties of biodegradable lactide and glycolides is presented. Specific podiatric and other orthopaedic applications of polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, and their copolymers are reviewed also. The authors then discuss numerous biocompatibility studies, basic manufacturing techniques, sterilizations/storage of the polymers, and the development of biodegradable polymers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, USA.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Athanasiou
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Niederauer
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Landsman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D007773:Lactates / Q000737:chemistry; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008422:Materials Testing; D011032:Podiatry; D011091:Polyesters; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D013242:Sterilization
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D007773:Lactates; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)