Multifunctional implants Prevention is better than cure

Millions of people around the globe receive orthopedic implants every year. These implants help people to regain their mobility and contribute tremendously to improve the quality of life. However, a significant number of patients suffer from complications, such as implant associated infections (IAI) and aseptic loosening. The number of orthopedic implants is expected to increase due to an aging and increasingly obese population. As a result, the number of complications will rise too. In addition, the treatment of IAI is complicated by the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria. The focus of researchers has, therefore, shifted more and more towards the prevention of complications. In the words of Desiderius Erasmus: “Prevention is better than cure.”