A view of magnesium alloy modification and its application in orthopedic implants

The study of biodegradability for orthopedic implants has always been a hot topic. Magnesium plays a crucial role in the human body, where an adequate level is necessary for normal cell functions and disease prevention. Magnesium-based alloys possess an elastic modulus close to that of natural human bone, which can effectively mitigate stress shielding. Moreover, magnesium can safely degrade within the body, avoiding the harm caused by secondary surgeries for implant removal. However, rapid degradation and insufficient mechanical strength limit their broader clinical adoption. This article reviews magnesium alloys’ physical and chemical properties, biocompatibility, and mechanical performance as orthopedic implants. It also discusses research progress on optimizing their properties through alloying and surface modification techniques. Besides, the application of additive manufacturing technology for customized orthopedic implants and the role of novel porous structure designs in enhancing biological performance are discussed. Finally, it provides an outlook on the future direction of magnesium alloy orthopedic implants, aiming to offer a reference for the design of new magnesium alloy orthopedic implants with superior biocompatibility and mechanical properties.