Orthopedic implants are the most commonly used fracture fixation devices for facilitating the growth and development of incipient bone and treating bone diseases and defects. However, most orthopedic implants suffer from various drawbacks and complications, including bacterial adhesion, poor cell proliferation, and limited resistance to corrosion. One of the major drawbacks of currently available orthopedic implants is their inadequate osseointegration at the tissue-implant interface. This leads to loosening as a result of immunological rejection, wear debris formation, low mechanical fixation, and implant-related infections. Nanotechnology holds the promise to offer a wide range of innovative technologies for use in translational orthopedic research. Nanomaterials have great potential for use in orthopedic applications due to their exceptional tribological qualities, high resistance to wear and tear, ability to maintain drug release, capacity for osseointegration, and capability to regenerate tissue. Furthermore, nanostructured materials possess the ability to mimic the features and hierarchical structure of native bones. They facilitate cell proliferation, decrease the rate of infection, and prevent biofilm formation, among other diverse functions. The emergence of nanostructured polymers, metals, ceramics, and carbon materials has enabled novel approaches in orthopaedic research. This review provides a concise overview of nanotechnology-based biomaterials utilized in orthopedics, encompassing metallic and nonmetallic nanomaterials. A further overview is provided regarding the biomedical applications of nanotechnology-based biomaterials, including their application in orthopedics for drug delivery systems and bone tissue engineering to facilitate scaffold preparation, surface modification of implantable materials to improve their osteointegration properties, and treatment of musculoskeletal infections. Hence, this review article offers a contemporary overview of the current applications of nanotechnology in orthopedic implants and bone tissue engineering, as well as its prospective future applications.

Polymers as biomaterials possess favorable properties, which include corrosion resistance, light weight, biocompatibility, ease of processing, low cost, and an ability to be easily tailored to meet specific applications. However, their inherent low X-ray attenuation, resulting from the low atomic numbers of their constituent elements, i.e., hydrogen (1), carbon (6), nitrogen (7), and oxygen (8), makes them difficult to visualize radiographically. Imparting radiopacity to radiolucent polymeric implants is necessary to enable noninvasive evaluation of implantable medical devices using conventional imaging methods. Numerous studies have undertaken this by blending various polymers with contrast agents consisting of heavy elements. The selection of an appropriate contrast agent is important, primarily to ensure that it does not cause detrimental effects to the relevant mechanical and physical properties of the polymer depending upon the intended application. Furthermore, its biocompatibility with adjacent tissues and its excretion from the body require thorough evaluation. We aimed to summarize the current knowledge on contrast agents incorporated into synthetic polymers in the context of implantable medical devices. While a single review was found that discussed radiopacity in polymeric biomaterials, the publication is outdated and does not address contemporary polymers employed in implant applications. Our review provides an up-to-date overview of contrast agents incorporated into synthetic medical polymers, encompassing both temporary and permanent implants. We expect that our results will significantly inform and guide the strategic selection of contrast agents, considering the specific requirements of implantable polymeric medical devices.

This paper gives a detailed analysis of nanotechnology's rising involvement in numerous surgical fields. We investigate the use of nanotechnology in orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, surgical oncology, heart surgery, vascular surgery, ophthalmic surgery, thoracic surgery, and minimally invasive surgery. The paper details how nanotechnology helps with arthroplasty, chondrogenesis, tissue regeneration, wound healing, and more. It also discusses the employment of nanomaterials in implant surfaces, bone grafting, and breast implants, among other things. The article also explores various nanotechnology uses, including stem cell-incorporated nano scaffolds, nano-surgery, hemostasis, nerve healing, nanorobots, and diagnostic applications. The ethical and safety implications of using nanotechnology in surgery are also addressed. The future possibilities of nanotechnology are investigated, pointing to a possible route for improved patient outcomes. The essay finishes with a comment on nanotechnology's transformational influence in surgical applications and its promise for future breakthroughs.

Microcomputed tomography is an important technique for distinguishing the vascular network from tissues with similar X-ray attenuation. Here, we describe a composite of barium sulfate (BaSO₄) nanoparticles, calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanoparticles, and alginate that provides improved performance over microscale BaSO₄ particles, which are currently used clinically as X-ray contrast agents. BaSO₄ and CaCO₃ nanoparticles were synthesized using a polyol method with tetraethylene glycol as solvent and capping agent. The nanoparticles show good colloidal stability in aqueous solutions. A deliverable nanocomposite gel contrast agent was produced by encapsulation of the BaSO₄ and CaCO₃ nanoparticles in an alginate gel matrix. The gelation time was controlled by addition of d-(+)-gluconic acid δ-lactone, which controls the rate of dissolution of the CaCO₃ nanoparticles that produce Ca²⁺ which cross-links the gel. Rapid cross-linking of the gel by Ba²⁺ was minimized by producing BaSO₄ nanoparticles with an excess of surface sulfate. The resulting BaSO₄-CaCO₃ nanoparticle alginate gel mechanical properties were characterized, including the gel storage modulus, peak stress and elastic modulus, and radiodensity. The resulting nanocomposite has good viscosity control and good final gel stiffness. The nanocomposite has gelation times between 30 and 35 min, adequate for full body perfusion. This is the first nanoscale composite of a radiopaque metal salt to be developed in combination with an alginate hydrogel and designed for medical perfusion and vascular imaging applications.

Unfortunately, osteoporosis, as a worldwide disease, is challenging human health with treatment only available for the symptoms of osteoporosis without managing the disease itself. Osteoporosis can be linked as the common cause of fractures and increased mortality among post-menopausal women, men, and the elderly. Regrettably, due to osteoporosis, incidents of fractures are more frequent among the presented populations and can be afflictive for carrying out everyday life activities. Current treatments of osteoporosis encompass changing lifestyles, taking orthopedic drugs, and invasive surgeries. However, these treatment options are not long lasting and can lead to complications after post-surgical life. Therefore, to solve this impairment, researchers have turned to nanotechnologies and nanomaterials to create innovative and alternative treatments associated with the consequences of osteoporosis. This review article provides an introduction to osteoporotic compression vertebral fractures (OVCFs) and current clinical treatments, along with the rationale and efficacy of utilizing nanomaterials to modify and improve biomaterials or instruments. The methods of applying bioactive agents (bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), parathyroid hormone 1-34 (PTH 1-34)), as well as 3D printing will be presented from an osteoporosis treatment perspective. Additionally, the application of nanoparticles and nanotube arrays onto the current surgical treatments and orthopedic drug administration methods addressed will show that these systems reinforce a better mechanical performance and provide precise and slow-releasing drug delivery for better osseointegration, bone regeneration, and bone strength. In summary, nanomaterials can be seen as an alternative and more effective treatment for individuals with osteoporosis.