Orthopaedics bioactive ceramics

Bioceramics have now been widely used as bone replacement materials in orthopaedic surgery. In particular, calcium phosphate ceramics have been applied as bioactive ceramics with bone bonding capacities. 

Ducheyne, P. and Cuckler, J.M. (1992) Bioactive ceramic prosthetic coatings. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 276,102-14. 

One important field of application for dispersion-reinforced glass matrix composites is as biomaterials for implants and in orthopaedics. Bioactive sihcate and phosphate glasses and glass-ceramics are toughened by incorporating biocompatible second phases, for example titanium, silver or stainless steel particles or chopped fibres [20,24,54,76,77]. 

Hydroxyapatite ceramics have been successfully used in dentistry, facial surgery, orthopaedics and otolaryngology in the form of shaped pieces and porous granules for replenishment of bone defects in the locations which do not bear mechanical load (e.g. malleus). Wider use of this ceramics, despite their best bioactivity and biocompatibility, is limited due to their poor mechanical properties. 

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