Bioactive Composites Based on Calcium Phosphates for Bone Regeneration

Abstract

Bone problems affect millions of people across the world. In fact, musculoskeletal conditions such as joint pathologies, fractures related to osteoporosis, back pain, serious injuries and different sorts of bone diseases and disabilities are among the most common causes for hundreds of millions of people worldwide suffering acute and severe long-term pain and becoming physically handicapped. It has been reported that over 100 million Europeans are affected by different bone related problems and suffer chronic musculoskeletal pain, while in the US musculoskeletal problems affect over 40 million people aged 45 years and older. It is expected that the percentage of population affected by musculoskeletal conditions will double by the year 2020. Although morbidity is low, they have a major effect on disability, medical costs and patient quality of life [1,2]. Thus, bone defect treatments represent a significant medical and socioeconomic challenge.