Orthopedic implants and devices for bone fractures and defects: Past, present and perspective

Bone is a unique tissue that is capable of repairing itself after damage. However, there are certain instances of fractures and defects that require clinical intervention for proper alignment and healing. As with any implant, careful consideration of the material used to create the implants to treat these problems is needed. If the incorrect material is chosen, the implants themselves can lead to bone fractures or defects, or bone healing may not take place at all. All three classes of biomaterials–metals, ceramics, and polymers–have been used in the treatment of both bone fractures and bone defects, and each has its own unique benefits and limitations for its applications. Furthermore, composites of these different materials have also been created to try to take advantage of all the different benefits offered by each different material. This review highlights different materials that have been used for the development of internal fixators and bone graft substitutes to treat fracture and bone defects as well as their limitations and needed future research.