title: Current strategies to improve the bioactivity of PEEK.
abstract: The synthetic thermoplastic polymer polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is becoming a popular component of clinical orthopedic and spinal applications, but its practical use suffers from several limitations. Although PEEK is biocompatible, chemically stable, radiolucent and has an elastic modulus similar to that of normal human bone, it is biologically inert, preventing good integration with adjacent bone tissues upon implantation. Recent efforts have focused on increasing the bioactivity of PEEK to improve the bone-implant interface. Two main strategies have been used to overcome the inert character of PEEK. One approach is surface modification to activate PEEK through surface treatment alone or in combination with a surface coating. Another strategy is to prepare bioactive PEEK composites by impregnating bioactive materials into PEEK substrate. Researchers believe that modified bioactive PEEK will have a wide range of orthopedic applications.
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China. shandongmarui@126.com.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China. tingtingtang@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Tingting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D001577:Benzophenones; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000601:surgery; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D006801:Humans; D007659:Ketones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008422:Materials Testing; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011108:Polymers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001577:Benzophenones; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D007659:Ketones; D011108:Polymers; C063834:polyetheretherketone; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols