Chitosan–Hydroxyapatite Composite Membranes for the Controlled Release of Clindamycin Phosphate to Prevent Infections at the Implantation Site

Implant-associated infections remain a major clinical challenge, often leading to implant failure, revision surgery, and increased healthcare burden. Systemic antibiotic administration is limited by poor local bioavailability and systemic side effects, highlighting the need for localized drug-delivery systems that can simultaneously support tissue integration and prevent bacterial colonization. This study aimed to develop and characterize a novel generation of chitosan membranes loaded with hydroxyapatite–clindamycin phosphate (CS/HA-CLY) for localized infection prevention at implantation sites. The composite membranes’ physicochemical characteristics were analyzed using ATR FT-IR, XPS, SEM, XRD, and contact angle measurements. Furthermore, the in vitro biomineralization potential was assessed employing the Taguchi method, while the in vitro release of clindamycin phosphate was examined through UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The CS/HA-CLY membranes exhibited improved wettability, drug release behavior, and biomineralization ability compared to neat CS. These results suggest that the developed composite membranes could successfully combine antibacterial efficacy and biocompatibility, supporting their potential as multifunctional biomaterials for preventing implant-related infections while promoting tissue integration. These findings provide a promising basis for further biological assays and in vitro evaluation.