Bioresorbable polymers have moved from the laboratory to the operating room, where they are now an indispensable tool in a wide range of medical fields. Their ability to provide temporary support and then disappear has solved long-standing problems associated with permanent implants, leading to improved patient outcomes and more effective treatments.

One of the most prominent applications is in orthopedic surgery. Traditional metal plates, screws, and rods used to fix fractures often have to be removed in a second surgery after the bone has healed, which is both costly and painful for the patient. Bioresorbable screws, pins, and plates, typically made from PLA or PLGA, provide the necessary mechanical support for the bone to fuse. As the bone heals and grows stronger, the polymer gradually loses its strength and is absorbed, allowing the bone to bear its normal load and rebuild its natural density. This eliminates the need for a second surgery and the long-term risks of a permanent implant, such as stress shielding, which can weaken the bone. The use of bioresorbable polymers in spine and cranial surgery is also gaining traction, offering similar benefits.

In cardiovascular medicine, bioresorbable polymers have created a new paradigm with the development of bioresorbable stents. Traditional metal stents, which are used to keep arteries open after angioplasty, remain in the body forever and can sometimes lead to long-term complications like chronic inflammation or late-stage blood clots. Bioresorbable stents provide a temporary scaffold to hold the artery open while the vessel heals and remodels itself. Once the artery has regained its structural integrity, the stent dissolves, leaving no foreign material behind. This allows the artery to function more naturally and reduces the risk of long-term complications.

Bioresorbable polymers are also revolutionizing drug delivery. By encapsulating a drug within a polymer matrix, a sustained and controlled release can be achieved over an extended period. For instance, tiny microspheres made of PLGA can be injected to deliver a chemotherapeutic drug directly to a tumor site over several weeks or months. This localized and timed release minimizes systemic side effects and improves the drug's efficacy. Similarly, drug-eluting stents can be coated with a bioresorbable polymer to release a drug that prevents artery re-narrowing, and as the drug is released, the coating dissolves.

Finally, in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, bioresorbable polymers industry are used to create scaffolds that guide the growth of new tissue. For example, a scaffold made from a polymer like polycaprolactone (PCL) can be seeded with cells and then implanted to help regenerate damaged cartilage or bone. The scaffold provides a temporary framework for the cells to grow, and as the new tissue matures, the scaffold gradually dissolves, leaving behind only the new, healthy tissue. These diverse applications demonstrate the transformative power of bioresorbable polymers in improving patient care and advancing medical technology.