Bio-compatible Fasteners in Orthopedic Surgery: Magnesium-Based Screw Degradation Rates in Bone Healing
Executive Summary The orthopedic implant industry is undergoing a paradigm shift from bio-inert permanent fixations to bio-resorbable metallic systems. At the forefront of this evolution is the use of magnesium (Mg) and its alloys for surgical fasteners. Unlike traditional titanium or stainless steel implants, which often require a secondary retrieval surgery and can cause stress-shielding, magnesium-based screws offer a mechanical modulus close to human cortical bone. This white paper explores the critical intersection of degradation kinetics and physiological bone healing. We analyze the biochemical pathways of magnesium resorption, the impact [...]