X-ray of fractured left leg with internal fixation after surgery. Source: Nizil Shah

A replacement for internal metallic fixation devices provides adequate load bearing support to enable or facilitate healing of fractured bones. The silk-based composite exhibited a flexural modulus and strength of 13.7 GPa and 437 MPa, respectively, and is seen as a viable bioresorbable fixation device.

Researchers at the University of Connecticut developed a silk-based polymer composite to serve as an orthopaedic fixation device. Their article, “High performance resorbable composites for load-bearing bone fixation devices,” was published in volume 81 of the Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials.

The silk-based biocompatible plastic could provide an alternative to metallic internal fixation devices such as plate, pins and screws. It would eliminate the negative side effects of metallic devices including the potential for inflammation and bacterial colonization.