Table 1 Comparisons among nonsurgical and surgical approaches for bone repair.
From: Advanced construction strategies to obtain nanocomposite hydrogels for bone repair and regeneration
Categories | Approach | Medium | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nonsurgical approaches | Casting | Plaster or fiberglass | Easy availability and effectiveness | Potential muscle atrophy and stiffness |
Electrical stimulation | Electricity and magnetism | Safety | Assistive technology | |
Ultrasound therapy | Sound waves | Convenience | Skin irritation or mild pain; assistive technology | |
Surgical approaches | Internal fixation | Metal screws, plates, or rods | Ability to enable early mobilization and weight-bearing activities | Potential for infection, implant failure, and nerve damage; low pain and swelling |
External fixation | Metal pins or screws | Stable fixation | Potential for infection, pin loosening, and pin tract infection | |
Bone grafting | Bone tissue and metal pins or screws | Rapid recovery | Potential for graft rejection | |
Bone regeneration | Biological agents; scaffolds or matrices | Abundant materials with different functions | Potential for infection, inflammation, and rejection of the biologic agents or scaffolds |
