Advancements in Biodegradable Orthopaedic Implants: A Literature Review.

Background: Biodegradable orthopaedic implants have emerged as an innovative alternative to traditional permanent metallic or inert polymer implants, aiming to provide mechanical support during critical healing phases and subsequently degrade in vivo. Their primary advantage lies in eliminating the need for a second surgery to remove hardware, thus potentially reducing patient morbidity and healthcare costs. Despite these benefits, challenges related to unpredictable degradation kinetics, mechanical strength, and biocompatibility have restricted their widespread clinical application.