Xiaoyan Qin, Ni Jiang, Chaoyong Liu

doi:https://doi.org/10.12336/bmt.25.00015

Zhuangzhuang Li, Minxun Lu, Shanfang Zou, Ruicheng Liu, Haoyuan Lei, Yitian Wang, Yuqi Zhang, Yong Zhou, Changchun Zhou, Yi Luo, Li Min, Chongqi Tu

doi:https://doi.org/10.12336/bmt.25.00009

Integrating 4D printing technology in medical implants offers promising advancements for minimally invasive delivery (MID) and personalized orthopedic solutions. This study presents a 4D-printed shape memory nickel-titanium (NiTi) mesh implant for cavitary bone defect reconstruction, enabling a time-dependent shape transformation. Fabricated through selective laser melting (80 W laser power, 600 mm/s scanning speed, 70 μm hatch spacing, 25 μm layer thickness), the implant can be compressed during implantation and recover its original shape. Micro-computed tomography analysis confirmed high geometric fidelity (D50 = 58 μm), while scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis revealed a uniform microstructure and confirmed the homogeneous distribution of Ni/Ti across the mesh implant. Phase transformation testing showed that the austenite finish temperatures (austenite finish) of the as-built sample and the acid-washed sample were below the 37°C physiological threshold. Compression testing indicated that a force of 156 N was required for 30% deformation, with complete recovery to its pre-defined shape. Clinically, the implant reduced cortical bone fenestration by 20%. Post-operative imaging at 6 and 12 months showed excellent osseointegration and minimal residual cavities. Functional assessments at 12 months indicated excellent recovery, with a Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score of 29. In the present study, the clinical use of the 4D-printed mesh implant demonstrated not only satisfactory osteointegration but also a practical advantage in surgical handling. The shape recovery of the implant from a compressed state to its pre-designed shape allowed for MID and precise fit to the defect contour.

Lingli Zhang, Yuan Zhang, Ruixi Chi, Rui Ji, Bo Hu, Bo Gao

doi:https://doi.org/10.12336/bmt.25.00007

Osteoporosis (OP) is a ubiquitous metabolic bone disease characterized by reduced bone mass and the deterioration of bone microarchitecture. One of its most serious complications, fractures, can induce substantial functional disabilities in patients and are associated with chronic health issues, thereby imposing both medical and economic burdens. At present, the predominant therapeutic approaches for OP include pharmacotherapy and physical therapy (PT). While pharmacotherapy has proven effective, it is not without its drawbacks, such as prolonged treatment durations and adverse effects due to medication. PT, also referred to as physiotherapy, stands out as the most cost-effective alternative treatment for OP. PT involves the application of natural or artificial physical agents, such as sound, light, cold, heat, electricity, and mechanical forces (including motion and pressure), to non-invasively and non-pharmacologically treat local or systemic dysfunctions or pathologies. Its objective is to restore the body’s inherent physiological functions. PT offers a diverse array of treatment options for patients with OP who are unsuitable for surgery or for whom surgical intervention is not viable. This review investigates the feasibility of identifying appropriate PT methods tailored to the needs of individuals with OP, with the intent of providing a scientific foundation for improved clinical practice.

Lingbin Che, Juhan Li, Dianwen Song

doi:https://doi.org/10.12336/bmt.25.00012

Hongyan Zhou, Xuan Yao, Shuhang Liu, Yuheng Li, Li Hu, Jing Zhang, Wenhui Hu, Shiwu Dong

doi:https://doi.org/10.12336/bmt.25.00002

Selenium is an essential trace mineral crucial for human health. The selenium-selenoprotein axis exerts biological effects that are associated with bone and joint health. The metabolism of selenium in vivo involves multiple physiological mechanisms and organs working synergistically to maintain selenium homeostasis. Studies underscore the roles of selenium in diverse physiological processes, including antioxidant defense, anti-inflammatory responses, immune regulation, osteogenesis, and thyroid hormone metabolism. Conditions such as Kashin–Beck disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), and osteoporosis have been linked to selenium deficiency. Adequate selenium supplementation has been shown to prevent and treat bone and joint-related diseases. While numerous natural and synthetic selenium compounds have been explored for their therapeutic potential in bone and joint-related diseases, their narrow therapeutic windows pose challenges. In recent years, selenium-based biomaterials have been extensively studied and applied in biomedical research. These biomaterials exhibit reduced toxicity and enhanced bioavailability compared to inorganic and organic selenium, making them promising strategies for targeted selenium delivery. Selenium-based biomaterials provide a more efficient alternative for the treatment of bone defects, osteoporosis, osteosarcoma, OA, RA, and other related diseases. This review highlights the pathophysiological functions of selenium in maintaining bone and joint homeostasis and summarizes the current progress in utilizing selenium-based biomaterials for treating bone and joint-related diseases.