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Review
. 2014 Jun 27;47(9):1979-86.
doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2013.12.003. Epub 2013 Dec 11.

Revolutionizing orthopaedic biomaterials: The potential of biodegradable and bioresorbable magnesium-based materials for functional tissue engineering

Kathryn F Farraro  1 , Kwang E Kim  1 , Savio L-Y Woo  1 , Jonquil R Flowers  1 , Matthew B McCullough  2
Affiliations
Review

Revolutionizing orthopaedic biomaterials: The potential of biodegradable and bioresorbable magnesium-based materials for functional tissue engineering

Kathryn F Farraro et al. J Biomech. .

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in magnesium (Mg) and its alloys as biomaterials for orthopaedic applications, as they possess desirable mechanical properties, good biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Also shown to be osteoinductive, Mg-based materials could be particularly advantageous in functional tissue engineering to improve healing and serve as scaffolds for delivery of drugs, cells, and cytokines. In this paper, we will present two examples of Mg-based orthopaedic devices: an interference screw to accelerate ACL graft healing and a ring to aid in the healing of an injured ACL. In vitro tests using a robotic/UFS testing system showed that both devices could restore function of the goat stifle joint. Under a 67-N anterior tibial load, both the ACL graft fixed with the Mg-based interference screw and the Mg-based ring-repaired ACL could restore anterior tibial translation (ATT) to within 2mm and 5mm, respectively, of the intact joint at 30°, 60°, and 90° of flexion. In-situ forces in the replacement graft and Mg-based ring-repaired ACL were also similar to those of the intact ACL. Further, early in vivo data using the Mg-based interference screw showed that after 12 weeks, it was non-toxic and the joint stability and graft function reached similar levels as published data. Following these positive results, we will move forward in incorporating bioactive molecules and ECM bioscaffolds to these Mg-based biomaterials to test their potential for functional tissue engineering of musculoskeletal and other tissues.

Keywords: Biomaterials; Functional tissue engineering; Magnesium; Mg alloys; Orthopaedic devices.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement

All authors confirm they have no financial or other conflicts of interest relevant to this manuscript.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Histogram showing number of publications each year for the past ten years on research of magnesium and its alloys and stainless steel as biomaterials (retrieved from Web of Science using “magnesium” and “stainless steel” as a search query within the category “biomaterials”).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
(A) Finite element model of the first-generation Mg-based interference screw and (B) design and manufacturing of the new design.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
(A) Anterior tibial translation (ATT) in intact, ACL-deficient, and reconstructed goat stifle joints and (B) in-situ forces in intact ACLs and replacement grafts.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4. AAA
(A) Photograph and schematic of the Mg-based ring and (B) a schematic diagram of Mg-based ring repair of the ACL.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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