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Polymers in Orthopaedic Surgery

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Advanced Polymers in Medicine

Abstract

Polymers have been used as biomaterials in Orthopaedic Surgery for decades. Despite reports of complications with some polymeric materials, most are biocompatible and have been used successfully in total joint replacements, for soft tissue reconstruction, for joint fusion, and as fracture fixation devices. In this chapter we will describe the types of polymers used in commercially-available orthopaedic implants, and then give a breakdown by clinical application.

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Abbreviations

PMMA:

Poly(methylmethacrylate)

PE:

Poly(ethylene)

UHMWPE:

Ultra-high molecular weight poly(ethylene)

HXPE:

Highly cross-linked PE

PEEK:

Poly(etheretherketone)

LPLA:

Poly(L-lactide)

DLPLA:

Poly(DL-lactide)

LDLPLA:

Poly(DL-lactide-co-L-lactide)

PGA:

Poly(glycolide)

LPLG:

Poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide)

DLPLG:

Poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UTHSC-Houston, 6431 Fannin, Rm 6.154, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Catherine G. Ambrose, Braden E. Hartline, Walter R. Lowe & William C. McGarvey

  2. Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Vail, CO, USA

    Thomas O. Clanton

Authors
  1. Catherine G. Ambrose
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  2. Braden E. Hartline
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  3. Thomas O. Clanton
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  4. Walter R. Lowe
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  5. William C. McGarvey
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Correspondence to Catherine G. Ambrose .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sci., University of Calabria, Rende, Italy

    Francesco Puoci

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Ambrose, C.G., Hartline, B.E., Clanton, T.O., Lowe, W.R., McGarvey, W.C. (2015). Polymers in Orthopaedic Surgery. In: Puoci, F. (eds) Advanced Polymers in Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12478-0_5

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