Biocomposites for orthopedic implants

Abstract In recent years, there has been growing focus in using the biocomposites obtained from renewable resources for orthopedic applications, particularly in bone cement, bone grafts, bone fixation plates, and hip joint replacement. The fundamental requirement that a biocomposite must fulfill is its acceptability by the human body. A biocomposite used for implant should exhibit eminent properties for long-term performance in the body without rejection. Orthopedic surgeons have been using metallic implants for the fixation of bone fractures. Apparently, metallic implants made of stainless steel and titanium alloys had few problems like corrosion, metal incompatibility, magnetism effect, anode–cathode reactions, including a decrease in bone mass, increase in bone porosity, and delay in fracture healing. Biocomposites offer inherent advantages, such as light weight, greater stiffness and mechanical properties, renewability, and high disposability. Moreover, they are flexible than metals and good alternatives because of properties similar to bone.