Magnesium (Mg)-based alloys have become an important category of materials that is attracting more and more attention due to their high potential use as orthopedic temporary implants. These alloys are a viable alternative to nondegradable metals implants in orthopedics. In this paper, a detailed overview covering alloy development and manufacturing techniques is described. Further, important attributes for Mg-based alloys involved in orthopedic implants fabrication, physiological and toxicological effects of each alloying element, mechanical properties, osteogenesis, and angiogenesis of Mg are presented. A section detailing the main biocompatible Mg-based alloys, with examples of mechanical properties, degradation behavior, and cytotoxicity tests related to in vitro experiments, is also provided. Special attention is given to animal testing, and the clinical translation is also reviewed, focusing on the main clinical cases that were conducted under human use approval.

Birmingham hip resurfacing (BHR) is an alternative to bone-sparing total hip arthroplasty; however, failures may be associated with the cementing technique. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of the cement layer and potential failure mechanisms. BHR explants were analyzed using radiographic evaluation, stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and histopathology. The cement layer was nonuniform, with excessive thickness in the dome regions and insufficient lateral coverage. Increased cement penetration values exceeded recommended thresholds. SEM analysis revealed inhomogeneous cement with cracks, air inclusions, and loosening at the cement–prosthesis interface. BHR failure may be associated with a complex interplay between cementation parameters, cement mantle morphology, and the biological response at the bone–cement interface, as well as interactions at the cement–prosthesis interface. Microscopic evaluation may provide valuable insights into the mechanisms potentially contributing to BHR prosthesis failure.

Local antibiotic delivery systems are increasingly used in orthopedic surgery to achieve optimal drug concentrations at the site of infection while minimizing systemic side effects. Among these systems, calcium sulfate-based resorbable cements and polymethyl methacrylate-based acrylic cements are commonly used. In this study, the structure, surface properties, and in vitro degradation behavior of CaSO₄-based samples loaded with gentamicin, vancomycin, or a combination thereof were investigated and compared with those of a calcium sulfate control sample and polymethyl methacrylate-based acrylic cement. The characterization of the materials was performed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy. Surface wettability was assessed using contact angle measurements, and immersion tests were used to evaluate water absorption and mass loss. The results showed that the introduction of antibiotics into CaSO₄-based samples affected surface wettability, microstructure, and degradation profiles, particularly in samples containing gentamicin. A different behavior was observed in the case of acrylic cement, for which the mass loss is mainly attributed to the release of soluble components from the composition, such as residual monomer and antibiotics. Compared with acrylic cement, calcium sulfate-based samples, particularly those loaded with gentamicin, exhibited more hydrophilic surfaces and a microstructure that favors interaction with aqueous media, thereby leading to superior performance as local antibiotic delivery systems.