Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
It is anticipated that the use of self-setting calcium orthophosphate
formulations will enable a faster and more aggressive rehabilitation,
as the strength of the hardened cements makes it possible to allow
full weight-bearing earlier than when bone graft is used. Although,
preliminary clinical trials have already confirmed the great
potential of this novel therapeutic product, the self-setting calcium
orthophosphate formulations need to be improved further; in
particular, their bioresorption needs to be accelerated as well as their
injectability and mechanical properties need to get better. Besides,
extra clinical studies are required to define the most appropriate
indications and limitations of calcium orthophosphate cements for
fracture repair.
In the author's humble opinion, mentioning the Prof. James M.
Anderson's opinion on the history of biomaterials field would be
the best way to conclude this subject. According to Prof. Anderson,
within 1950-1975 researchers studied bioMATERIALS, within
1975-2000 they studied BIOMATERIALS and since 2000 the
time for BIOmaterials has been coming [620]. Here, the capital
letters emphasis the major direction of the research efforts in the
complex subject of biomaterials. As the real history of self-setting
calcium orthophosphate formulations started only in 1983, the
aforementioned periods were shifted along the time scale. Certainly,
the bioMATERIALS-epoch for the self-setting formulations is almost
over (every possible combination of calcium orthophosphates
has been already studied and tested), while the BIOmaterials-era
(where cells are the key factor) either has not started yet or is just
at the very beginning. Most likely, current state-of-the-art of the
self-setting calcium orthophosphate formulations corresponds to
BIOMATERIALS-phase with an approximately equal contribution of
the biological and materials directions. Therefore, still there is much
room for versatile ideas and approaches.
References and Notes
1. Albee, F., and Morrison, H. (1920) Studies in bone growth,
Ann. Surg.
,
, 32-38.
2. Haldeman, K., and Moore, J. (1934) Influence of a local excess of calcium
and phosphorus on the healing of fractures
71
, 385-396.
3. Ray, R., Degge, J., Gloyd, P., and Mooney, G. (1952) Bone regeneration,
Arch. Surg.
29
J.
Bone Joint Surg. Am.
34A
, 638-647.
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