Bio-Based Adhesives for Orthopedic Applications: Sources, Preparation, Characterization, Challenges, and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Bone fracture healing involves complex physiological processes that require biological events that are well coordinated. In recent decades, the process of fracture healing has been upheld through various treatments, including bone implants and bio-adhesive utilization. Bio-adhesion can be interpreted as the process in which synthetic or natural materials adhere to body surfaces. Bio-based adhesives have superiority in many value-added applications because of their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and large molecular weight. The increased variety and utilization of bio-based materials with strong adhesion characteristics provide new possibilities in the field of orthopedics in terms of using bio-based adhesives with excellent resorbability, biocompatibility, ease of use, and low immunoreactivity. The aim of this review is to provide comprehensive information and evaluation of the various types of bio-based adhesives used clinically with a specific focus on their application in orthopedics. The main properties of bio-based adhesives, their benefits, and challenges compared with the traditional bio-based materials in orthopedics, as well as the future perspectives in the field, have also been outlined and discussed.