clhs sciblog

Calcium phosphates were developed over 20 years ago as alternatives to polymer-based cements for mending damaged bones. Their chemical similarity to bone means that they are good repair materials and they are less toxic and more fracture-resistant than polymer cements. However, the absence of silicon – thought to be an important trace element in the early stages of bone formation – means that calcium phosphate cements are not perfect when it comes to integrating with living tissue… read more here 

This new way to use silicon instead of phosphates would be more beneficial in healing the bone. It takes less time to heal than previous methods and is also much stronger. It is a quick setting cement which somehow has biological properties as well. This is amazing to me that a silicon can react so well with the broken bone and act as a temporary replacement untill the natural bone regenerates back into place. This hopefully will be commonly used in the next few years when developement is finally complete and the product is ready to use on everyone who falls and breaks thier arm. This might be the “next best thing” in medicine as the article states. Q3#1