title: Bioresorbable fracture fixation in orthopedics: a comprehensive review. Part I. Basic science and preclinical studies.
abstract: Metal alloys are currently the most popular materials for manufacture of fracture-fixation devices. Two major disadvantages of these materials are their extreme stiffness, which causes stress shielding of the underlying bone, and the necessity, in a significant number of cases, of removing metallic implants after fracture healing is complete. These shortcomings of metal alloys have led to the study of bioresorbable materials for use in fracture fixation. Currently, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, and polydioxanone implants are available to the orthopedic surgeon for the fixation of small cancellous bone fractures. Part I of this article provides an overview of the basic science of bioresorbable materials and presents a comprehensive review of preclinical studies reported in the orthopedic literature. Clinical studies will be reviewed in Part II.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases Orthopedic Institute, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Di Cesare
mesh_terms: D000497:Alloys; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001858:Bone Nails; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008422:Materials Testing
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; D001672:Biocompatible Materials