Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41777704›Full record

ReviewJournal of orthopaedic translation2026

Foot and ankle biomaterials: a comprehensive review of current applications, challenges, and future directions.

Peter Elvin, Amayrani Sanchez, Anthony Allen Reyes, Hagner Andrade, Meelad Karami, Hooman T Mir, Javier La Fontaine, Danieli Rodrigues, Claudia Biguetti

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of orthopaedic translation, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Peter ElvinDepartment of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA.
Amayrani SanchezSchool of Podiatric Medicine, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Harlingen, TX, USA.
Anthony Allen ReyesDepartment of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA.
Hagner AndradeSchool of Podiatric Medicine, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Harlingen, TX, USA.
Meelad KaramiThe Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.
Hooman T MirSchool of Podiatric Medicine, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Harlingen, TX, USA.
Javier La FontaineSchool of Podiatric Medicine, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Harlingen, TX, USA.
Danieli RodriguesDepartment of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA.
Claudia BiguettiSchool of Podiatric Medicine, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Harlingen, TX, USA.

Funding

Multifunctional Ionic Liquids Coatings for Dental Implant SurfacesR01DE026736 · NIDCR · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS DALLAS · PI Danieli Rodrigues · 2017 to 2026
$3.7M
NIDCR NIH HHS R01 DE026736
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Metallic biomaterials enable successful reconstruction and fixation of skeletal tissues by supporting repair, load-bearing function, and anatomical alignment in foot and ankle surgery. However, the unique anatomic and biomechanical demands of this region, combined with challenging pathologies such as flatfoot and Charcot neuroarthropathy, present distinct challenges, with effective intervention requiring targeted biomaterial solutions and precise indications. Furthermore, metallic biomaterials currently represent the most predominant and clinically validated fixation systems in foot and ankle surgical reconstructions, while also generating the largest body of outcome-based evidence. This review summarizes and discusses their contemporary applications, outcomes, limitations, unmeet needs, and future directions based on clinical literature between 2020 and 2024. Emerging innovations, including 3D-printed titanium implants for patient-specific reconstructions, surface-engineered alloys designed to improve osseointegration, with infection mitigation properties for at risk patient populations, and the exploration of bioresorbable/biointegrative magnesium, as well as non-metallic alternative materials (e.g. polymerics) were examined. Persistent unmet needs identified in the literature include hardware challenges in osteoporotic bone and neuropathic patients, ion leeching, cyclic fatigue, economic burden, imaging artifact interference, and lack of long-term data or clinical trials on innovative implant designs and manufacturing approaches. Lastly, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging of titanium, nitinol, and stainless steel is provided to offer an analysis on biomaterial-specific microstructural features, such as surface roughness and porosity, that play a role in influencing tissue integration, corrosion behavior, and mechanical performance in reconstructive surgeries. The Translational Potential of this Article: This review provides clinically actionable guidance for selecting metallic biomaterials tailored to the biomechanical and pathological demands of foot and ankle surgery, supporting evidence-based decisions of selection of hardwares, improved fixation strategies, and reduced complication rates. It also adds recent insights to inform the development and optimization of next-generation devices based on patient- and site-specific requirements, such as 3D-printed constructs and surface-engineered implants, designed to enhance fusion, reconstruction, and limb salvage outcomes.

Indexed as

AnkleBiomaterialsFootImplantsOrthopaedicsReconstruction

Identifiers

PMID41777704
PMCPMC12950373

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.