Additive manufacturing of degradable magnesium alloys and their application in orthopedic implants

Recently, with the continuous research on magnesium alloy materials, the production and processing technology of magnesium alloys are continuously improved, bringing in their improved mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Therefore, magnesium alloys have once again become one of the research hotspots of orthopedic degradable materials. Meanwhile, the biocompatibility and biosafety properties of magnesium alloys were considered. The magnesium ions generated after the magnesium alloy is degraded in the body, will participate in the human body's metabolism, regulate bone metabolism activities, and contribute to the synthesis of new bone. Some research studied that magnesium ions can regulate the metabolic function of the human body through multiple signaling pathways, and in vitro cells, and experiments have proved this point of view. Therefore, magnesium alloys are expected to become a promising material in orthopedic treatment, due to their good biocompatibility, degradability, and mechanical properties. In this review, we provide an overview of the degradable magnesium alloys and some key surface treatments and additive manufacturing of these materials to promote their application in orthopedic implants.