Degradation of magnesium implants in bone: mechanisms of Mg storage and impact on bone structure

deg Advanced X-ray microbeam techniques at the ESRF have enabled a team of Austrian researchers to study the reaction of bone to biodegradable bone implants based on Mg. The study unveiled an impact of the implant degradation speed on the Mg distribution, indicating at least two different pathways of Mg storage in bone. Changes in bone nanostructure and mineralisation were observed in a region of high local Mg content. The results suggest direct incorporation of Mg in bone mineral crystals.