Medical Devices in Orthopedic Applications

TLDR

Orthopedic medical devices restore mobility, reduce pain, and improve quality of life for millions, yet they carry risks from wear, corrosion, infection, and manufacturing flaws, with joint replacements dominating a $14 billion biomaterials market in 2002. The article aims to illustrate and discuss the uses, properties, and limitations of orthopedic biomaterials to inform improvements in current devices. It reviews and analyzes the general properties, uses, and adverse outcomes of orthopedic biomaterials.

Abstract

Orthopedic medical devices have been extremely successful in restoring mobility, reducing pain, and improving the quality of life for millions of individuals each year. Their success is reflected in the worldwide biomaterials market, in which orthopedic devices dominated sales at approximately $14 billion in 2002. Of this, approximately $12 billion was spent on joint replacements. In spite of their overwhelming benefits and successes, orthopedic medical devices are not without risk of adverse effects. Most adverse joint replacement outcomes are thought to be mediated by degradation products generated by wear and electrochemical corrosion. Infection and flaws in device manufacturing are other noteworthy causes of orthopedic device failure. This article illustrates and discusses the uses, general properties, and limitations (including adverse outcomes) of orthopedic biomaterials, which are fundamental to understanding requirements for improving current orthopedic medical devices.