subject: Disposable Bones: Advantages of Magnesium Alloy in Orthopedics [print this page] Disposable Bones: Advantages of Magnesium Alloy in Orthopedics
Broken bones often require much more than a cast, sling, or brace. More severe fractures require some intimate bracing and support while they heal. This bracing in done inside the bone, in the form of an implant that stabilizes the healing bone. Traditionally, the implants were made of titanium or medical steel. They were permanent or required a second surgery to remove them, if at all. These factors and many more have made the advent of magnesium alloy implants the new modern innovation in orthopedic medicine.
7 Benefits of Magnesium Alloy Implants
1. The Disappearing Implant. Magnesium alloy was chosen after tests showed that the metal was not permanent, but was absorbed into the body. This leaves the bone and no permanent structures to hinder movement and stabilization.
2. Strength without the weight. Titanium and steel are much heavier than magnesium, which has proven to be just as strong as these traditional medical metals. In fact, magnesium alloy is much lighter than titanium and a quarter of the weight of steel. It is thus strong enough to stabilize the bone while it heals without weighing the bone down.
3. Reduction in Stress Shielding. Stress shielding occurs when the injured bone loses density because the implant is displacing the stress on the bone in an unnatural way. This causes the bone to become weaker and prone to fracture in the future. Magnesium alloy implants reduces the stress shielding, allowing the bone to displace the stress in a more natural way.
4. No Return Service. Traditional alloys carry a high risk of second surgery. A re-entry is needed in order to remove pins and other implanted accessories, or to reconstruct a bone that has fractured yet again. Magnesium alloy implants are absorbed into the body, so there is no need for a removal surgery. The bone has a better chance to heal and stabilize naturally, meaning less of a chance for a re-fracture of the bone because of weakness.
5. Healing that matches resorption rates. Magnesium alloy is absorbed into the body just at a rate that is matches the healing of the bone. This allows that bone to "fill in" the space left by the implant as the implant degrades in the system.
6. Corrosion barrier. The alloy naturally forms a protective barrier around itself when exposed to oxygen. This protects the metal from corroding too soon, and makes it easier for the body to accept. Magnesium is also bio-compatible with the human body, another asset over titanium and steel.
7. A greener implant. The element magnesium is abundant in the Earth's crust. It is actually one of the most abundant alkaline earth metals, that is also prevalent in seawater as well. Magnesium production is also a greener process than steel production. Therefore, using the metal in medicine is much more environmentally friendly option.
Of all the metal alloys used in medicine and other industries, magnesium is the most misunderstood. Fortunately, medicine is catching up with an increased interest in using magnesium alloy in the place of the standard, heavy, and permanent titaniums and steels.
