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Biological Response of Intramedullary Bone to Poly-L-Lactic Acid

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

J. Suganuma
Affiliation:
Department of BioengineeringHospital for Joint Diseases Orthopaedic Institute301 East 17th StreetNew York NY
H. Alexander
Affiliation:
Department of BioengineeringHospital for Joint Diseases Orthopaedic Institute301 East 17th StreetNew York NY
J. Traub
Affiliation:
Department of BioengineeringHospital for Joint Diseases Orthopaedic Institute301 East 17th StreetNew York NY
J. L. Ricci
Affiliation:
Department of BioengineeringHospital for Joint Diseases Orthopaedic Institute301 East 17th StreetNew York NY
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Abstract

Bioabsorbable synthetic polymers have been studied for their possible application in absorbable internal fracture fixation devices. The current study examines the biological response of intramedullary bone to PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid). PLLA degrades at a rate sufficiently slow to be useful for fracture fixation and undergoes hydrolytic deesterification to form metabolites normally found in the body. Nevertheless, the lactic-acid-rich degradation products have the potential to significantly lower the local pH in a closed space surrounded by bone. It is hypothesized that this acidity may tend to cause abnormal bone resorption and/or demineralization.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1992

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References

REFERENCES

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