Bone Cement Formulations and Orthopedic Applications
Summary
Bone cements are synthetic materials used to anchor implants, fill bone defects and deliver therapeutic agents within the skeleton. The most widespread formulation is polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement, prized for its mechanical strength and injectability. However, PMMA is bioinert and generates heat during polymerisation, prompting research into bioactive and biodegradable alternatives. Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) offer chemical similarity to bone mineral, supporting osteoconduction and in situ hardening. Glass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs) combine ionomeric glass particles with polyacrylic acid to form a chemical bond with bone under physiological conditions. Recent advances focus on tuning porosity and incorporating drugs to inhibit infection, promote bone ingrowth or prevent tumour recurrence. These developments span total joint arthroplasty, vertebral augmentation, fracture stabilisation and tumour cavity reconstruction, with an emphasis on improving mechanical compatibility, biological integration and localised therapeutic delivery.
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Bone Cement Formulations and Orthopedic Applications publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in bone cement formulations and orthopedic applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA): A synthetic polymer cement commonly used to anchor implants and fill bone defects, valued for mechanical strength and injectability but bioinert.
Calcium phosphate cement (CPC): A bone-substitute material that hardens in situ to form a hydroxyapatite-like matrix, supporting bone repair and drug delivery.
Glass polyalkenoate cement (GPC): A cement composed of ionomeric glass and polyacrylic acid that forms chemical adhesion to bone and can be engineered for controlled ion release.
Porosity: The presence of interconnected voids within cement that facilitates drug loading, fluid exchange and tissue ingrowth.
Controlled release: The sustained liberation of therapeutic agents from a cement matrix to the local environment over a predetermined time.
References
- Comprehensive evaluation and advanced modification of polymethylmethacrylate cement in bone tumor treatment. Journal of Materials Chemistry B (2023).
- Dual-functional porous and cisplatin-loaded polymethylmethacrylate cement for reconstruction of load-bearing bone defect kills bone tumor cells. Bioactive Materials (2021).
- An Injectable Glass Polyalkenoate Cement Engineered for Fracture Fixation and Stabilization. Journal of Functional Biomaterials (2017).
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