Orthopedics Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Orthopedics, including details on chronic injuries, muscoskeletal disorders, surgery, reconstruction.

Magnesium and its alloys as orthopedic biomaterials: a review.

Staiger MP, Pietak AM, Huadmai J, Dias G

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand.

As a lightweight metal with mechanical properties similar to natural bone, a natural ionic presence with significant functional roles in biological systems, and in vivo degradation via corrosion in the electrolytic environment of the body, magnesium-based implants have the potential to serve as biocompatible, osteoconductive, degradable implants for load-bearing applications. This review explores the properties, biological performance, challenges and future directions of magnesium-based biomaterials.

Published 12 December 2005 in Biomaterials, 27(9): 1728-34.
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