Figure 1.

Mg and its alloys possess Young's modulus close to natural bone as compared to the traditional metallic orthopedic devices. A) The distribution range of tensile yield strength of natural bone, commercially available orthopedic implants made of polymers and inert metals, and biodegradable Mg and its alloys; B) The peak stress distribution in a finite element analysis (FEA) model composed of a femur and an inserted titanium (Ti) or Mg‐based screw. Higher stress distribution is observed within the Ti screw as compared to the Mg‐based screw, relative to the lower stress distribution in the peri‐screw bone tissue, indicating stress shielding at the implant‐bone interface in the Ti group. PEEK: polyetheretherketone; PLA: poly(lactic acid); PGA: poly(glycolic acid); PHB: polyhydroxybutyrate; Co–Cr: Cobalt–Chromium.