New material may revolutionise healing

An implant material that helps mend diseased and broken bones has been developed in the UK.

The degradable rigid material combined with bone stem cells encourages the growth of new bone. A honeycomb scaffold structure allows blood to flow through it so that stem cells from the patient’s bone marrow can reach and attach to the material and grow new bone. The lightweight plastic that the implant is made from degrades as it is replaced by bone tissue.
Laboratory and animal tests have produced good results and trials on humans are now being planned as it is hoped that the advance could form the basis of a new treatment for people with diseased bones or fractures.
“We are confident that this material could soon be helping to improve the quality of life for patients with severe bone injuries, and will help maintain the health of an ageing population,” says Prof Mark Bradley from the University of Edinburgh.