Abstract
Magnesium alloys exhibit unique properties due to the elastic modulus similar to that of the bone, non-toxicity, and the ability of human body to remove effectively excessive amount of magnesium which avoids the necessity of 2nd stage surgery for metal removal, since the implant completely dissolves in the body. Unlike the permanent implants (stainless steel, titanium, Co-Cr alloys) biodegradability of magnesium opens new possibilities in orthopedics.
The use of magnesium - based implants is limited due to the rapid corrosion resulting in detrimental effects, caused namely by cumulating of hydrogen in the adjacent tissue and formation of bone cysts. Modern magnesium - based alloys otherwise demonstrate good biocompatibility and osteoconductive properties in several applications which will be discussed in this review.