This review explores the technological advancements in, engineering considerations regarding, and quality standards of veterinary patellar groove replacement implants. Veterinary-specific regulations for these implants are currently lacking. Therefore, human knee implant benchmarks are used as references. These benchmarks guide evaluation of the surface quality, material selection, biocompatibility, and mechanical performance of the implant to ensure reliability and longevity. Patellar luxation is a common orthopedic disorder in small animals which leads to patellofemoral joint instability and cartilage degeneration, and is often caused by angular limb deformities that disrupt patellar alignment. In severe cases, patellar groove replacement is necessary to restore function and alleviate pain. The implant materials must provide durability, mechanical strength, and biocompatibility to withstand joint forces while ensuring minimal wear. High-quality surface finishes reduce the friction experienced by these materials, improving their long-term performance. Advances in 3D printing allow the creation of patient-specific implants. These implants offer an enhanced anatomical fit and enhanced functionality, which is especially beneficial in complex cases. However, challenges remain in achieving consistent manufacturing quality and economic feasibility. While custom implants are invaluable for difficult cases, standardized designs are sufficient for routine applications. Combining human implant standards with new manufacturing technologies improves veterinary orthopedic solutions. This integration expands the treatment options for patellar luxation and enhances the quality and accessibility of implants.

Low-temperature plasma (LTP) activation is increasingly used as a surface modification technique to enhance the wettability and biological performance of metallic implants. However, the stability of plasma-induced surface changes and their interaction with standard sterilisation procedures remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of LTP activation, steam sterilisation, and their combination with the wettability of metallic implant materials, as well as the temporal stability of these effects. Samples manufactured from Ti6Al4V sheet, additively manufactured Ti6Al4V, and additively manufactured cobalt–chromium alloy were subjected to low-temperature plasma activation, steam sterilisation, or both procedures. Surface wettability was assessed by measuring the contact angle of canine blood droplets immediately after treatment and over a five-day observation period. Low-temperature plasma activation resulted in a substantial reduction in the contact angle for all tested materials, indicating a pronounced increase in surface wettability. However, this effect gradually diminished over time. Steam sterilisation alone moderately improved wettability and showed relatively stable effects. When steam sterilisation was applied after plasma activation, the plasma-induced enhancement was significantly attenuated and rapidly lost during storage. These findings demonstrate that while LTP activation effectively improves surface wettability, its benefits are highly time-dependent and strongly influenced by subsequent sterilisation. Plasma activation should therefore be performed immediately before implantation or combined with sterilisation and storage strategies that preserve surface modifications.

Atlantoaxial instability (AAI) in toy- and small-breed dogs remains a significant clinical challenge, as the restricted anatomical space and risk of complications complicate the selection of implants. This study aimed to compare three patient-specific Ti-6Al-4V stabilizers for the C1–C2 region: a clinically used ventral C1–C3 plate, a shortened ventral C1–C2 plate, and a dorsal C1–C2 implant. Computed tomography, segmentation, virtual reduction, CAD/CAM design, and finite element analysis were employed to evaluate the linear-static mechanical behavior of each construct under loading ranging from 5 to 25 N, with a focus on displacements, von Mises stresses, and peri-screw bone strains. Additionally, cadaver procedures were performed in nine small-breed dogs using custom drill guides and additively manufactured implants to evaluate procedural feasibility and implantation time. Finite element models demonstrated that all stabilizers operated within material and biological safety limits. The C1–C3 plate exhibited the highest implant stresses, while the C1–C2 plate demonstrated an intermediate response, and the dorsal implant minimized implant stresses, albeit by increasing bone stresses. Cadaver experiments revealed that dorsal fixation required less implantation time than ventral fixation. Collectively, the findings indicate that all evaluated constructs represent safe stabilization options, and the choice of implant should reflect the preferred load-transfer pathway as well as anatomical or surgical constraints that may limit ventral access.

Breast implants are among the most frequently used long-term implantable medical devices in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. In addition to correcting anatomical deficits, they have significant psychosocial effects, influencing body image, self-esteem, and quality of life, particularly in patients undergoing postmastectomy reconstruction. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the historical development, biological interactions, material characteristics, and clinical outcomes of breast implants. Early reconstructive attempts using foreign materials and injectable substances were associated with severe complications, underscoring the need for safer technologies. The introduction of silicone gel implants in the 1960s marked a pivotal advancement, followed by the development of saline-filled devices and highly cohesive silicone gels with enhanced mechanical stability. Key surgical considerations, including incision type and implant placement plane (subglandular, submuscular, dual-plane, and subfascial), are discussed in relation to aesthetic outcomes and complication risk. Emphasis is placed on the implant–tissue interface and the foreign body response (FBR), a process involving protein adsorption, immune cell activation, fibrous capsule formation, and potential chronic inflammation. Persistent inflammatory stimulation, often associated with bacterial biofilm formation, contributes to capsular contracture, the most common long-term complication. Additional adverse events include implant rupture, silicone gel bleed, granulomatous reactions, infection, hematoma, implant malposition, and rare but clinically significant conditions such as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). The review also summarizes implant classification according to construction, filling material, shape, and surface topography, highlighting the influence of surface characteristics on host response and clinical outcomes. Advances in biomaterials, cohesive gel formulations, and surface engineering aim to enhance biocompatibility and long-term safety, supported by standardized mechanical and biological testing protocols.