Recent advances in orthopedic polyetheretherketone biomaterials: Material fabrication and biofunction establishment

Abstract Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a kind of nontoxic high-performance thermoplastic widely used for medical applications. Compared with other special engineering plastics, PEEK has many excellent properties, such as high temperature resistance, chemical corrosion resistance, radiation resistance, hydrolysis resistance, excellent mechanical properties, good self-lubrication and easy processing. Although PEEK has been widely used as the replacements of metallic and ceramic implants in medical field, it is biologically inertia, which reduces the fusion with host bone tissue after implantation. In addition, the high friction coefficient and hydrophobicity of PEEK also seriously hinder its applications. In view of these, the studies of PEEK biomaterials have now focused on the improvement of biological activity by various material engineering strategies. In this paper, these recently developed strategies to improve PEEK bioactivity to address clinical orthopedic needs (e.g., anti-inflammation, anti-infection and osteointegration) are reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods are further analyzed. This review paper may provide more targeted direction for developing multifunctional PEEK-based implants in the future.