Challenges to intensity and obdurability of nano-bioceramic materials applied in orthopedics

Objective: To summarize and analyze of the research progress, direction and tendency of nano-bioceramic materials, and probs into the feasibility of applying nano-bioceramic materials in orthopedics, based on which to forward prospects in fabrication of artificial joints with nano-bioceramic materials. Data Sources: A computer-based online search of articles about nano-bioceramic materials published between January 1998 and October 2006 was performed in Medline with the key words of "nano, bioceramic", and the language was limited to English. Meanwhile, China Journal Full-text Database (CJFD) was searched for relevant articles between January 1998 and October 2006 with the key words of "bioceramic", and the language was limited to Chinese. Study Selection: Data were checked in the first trial, and the inclusion criteria were: 1 Literatures about the research, fabrication, application and prospect of bioceramics. 2 Study on nano-bioceramic materials applied in orthopedics. Data Extraction: There were 61 literatures in accordance with the criteria, and 31 were selected; 30 repeated studies were excluded; 30 literatures met the inclusion criteria: 16 articles of which were about the application of bioceramic materials in orthopedics, 8 literatures related to the fabrication of bioceramic powder, and 6 reviews were about the prospect of bioceramic materials application. Data Synthesis: Bioceramic materials could be divided into inert bioceramic, active bioceramic and absorbable bioceramic according its bioactivity. Hydroxyapatite is a kind of ideal bioceramic, which drawn great attention from domestic and abroad scholars on its fabrication, biocompatibility and medical carrier. As an inorganic biomaterial, bioceramics were more and more important in people's eyes due to its excellent biocompatibility and corrosion resistance. Conclusion: Large-scale application of bioceramic in clinic is difficult due to its limited obdurability. With the development of nano-technology and nano-materials, the intensity, toughness, rigidity and bioactivity are greatly improved and nano-bioceramic materials will contribute to the molding of healthy body for human.