Polyetheretherketone is one of the most commonly used materials for the production of orthopaedic implants, but the osseointegration capacity of polyetheretherketone is poor because of its bioinert surface, which greatly limits its clinical application. In recent years, scholars have carried out a lot of research on the modification of polyetheretherketone materials in order to improve its osseointegration capacity. At present, the modification of polyetheretherketone is mainly divided into surface modification and blend modification. Therefore, this paper summarizes the research progress of polyetheretherketone material modification technology and its influence on osseointegration from two aspects of surface modification and blend modification for polyetheretherketone materials used in the field of bone repair, so as to provide a reference for the improvement and transformation of polyetheretherketone materials for bone repair in the future.
Traditional bone repair materials, such as titanium, polyetheretherketone, and calcium phosphate, exhibit limitations, including poor biocompatibility and incongruent mechanical properties. In contrast, ceramic-polymer composite materials combine the robust mechanical strength of ceramics with the flexibility of polymers, resulting in enhanced biocompatibility and mechanical performance. In recent years, researchers worldwide have conducted extensive studies to develop innovative composite materials and manufacturing processes, with the aim of enhancing the bone repair capabilities of implants. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in ceramic-polymer composite materials, as well as in 3D printing and surface modification techniques for composite materials, with the objective of offering valuable insights to improve and facilitate the clinical application of ceramic-polymer composite materials in the future.
ObjectiveTo develop a smart orthosis personalized management system for the treatment of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and to evaluate the feasibility and efficiency through clinical preliminary applications.MethodsThe smart orthosis personalized management system consists of a wireless force monitor, a WeChat Mini Program, a cloud-based storage system, and a website backstage management system. Twenty-two patients with AIS who underwent orthosis treatment and met the selection criteria between March 2020 and December 2020 were enrolled. The follow-up time was 4 months. The parameters used to evaluate patients’ compliance were as follows (back and lumbar): baseline force value, measured force value, force compliance (measured force value/baseline force value×100%), measured wearing time (wearing time of force value was more than 0 N), and time compliance (measured wearing time/prescribed wearing time×100%), in which the prescribed wearing time was 23 hours/day. The baseline force values were measured at initiation, while the measured force value, measured wearing time, force compliance, and time compliance were measured during follow-up. The differences of these parameters between back and lumbar, and the differences among these parameters at 1, 2, 3, and 4 months after orthosis wearing were analyzed.ResultsThe average measured force value of 22 patients (back and lumbar) was (0.83±0.34) N, the average force compliance was 68.5%±17.9%, the average measured wearing time was (15.4±1.7) hours, and the average time compliance was 66.9%±7.7%. The baseline force value and measured force value of back were significantly higher than those of lumbar (P<0.05); the measured wearing time, force compliance, and time compliance between back and lumbar showed no significant difference (P>0.05). The measured force value, measured wearing time, force compliance, and time compliance at 1 month after wearing were significantly lower than those at 2, 3, and 4 months after orthosis wearing (P<0.05), no significant difference was found among 2, 3, and 4 months after orthosis wearing (P>0.05). At different time points after wearing, the measured force value of back were significantly higher than that of lumbar (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between back and lumbar on the other parameters (P>0.05).ConclusionThe smart orthosis personalized management system has high feasibility to treat AIS, and can improve the compliance of such patients with orthosis wearing.
Intervertebral disc degeneration is a multifactorial pathological process which is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. The main pathological changes of intervertebral disc degeneration are the degradation of extracellular matrix, apoptosis, autophagy, senescence and inflammation. Dysregulation of microRNAs has been implicated in various pathologies, including various degenerative diseases such as disc degeneration. This article reviews the research status of microRNA in degenerative disc pathology, with emphasis on the biological mechanisms and potential therapeutic prospects of microRNA in extracellular matrix degradation, apoptosis, inflammation, and cartilage endplate degeneration.