Some major characteristics that are used to classify these polymers are their crystallinity, molecular weight, molecular

weight distribution (also known as polydispersity), and the glass transition temperature. Crystallinity refers to the degree of structural order in a solid. With a given polymer, keeping everything else the same, the polymer with the higher degree of crystallinity will be stronger and have a slower degradation rate. This is especially true when compared to their amorphous counterparts. Molecular weight is another important factor since it has been found that polymers with larger molecular weights will degrade at slower rates due to the formation of secondary bonds between the chains of the polymers. Polydispersity is the distinction between a polymer being comprised of broad and narrow standards and is based on the PolyDispersityIndex (PDI =Mw/Mn).4 Mn is the number average molar mass and in simpler terms it is the average weights of the polymer chains and Mw is the weight average molar mass of the polymer. A lower level of polydispersity is generally desired as it means that there is a smaller range of molecule weights that are present and therefore it is much easier to predict how these polymers will degrade rather than those of a higher level polydispersity. Finally, the glass transition temperature is also a very important characteristic to consider for bioresorbable polymers since the glass transition temperature is when the amorphous structure of a polymer will start to behave like glass. That is the polymer will have mechanical properties of solid but the chemical properties of a liquid. As a result the bioresorbable implant will have a youngs modulus orders of magnitude lower and the implant can be susceptible to flow or creep. This can result in deformation of the bioresorbable implant. As a result it is desirable for a bioresorbable to have a glass transition temperature that is higher than normal body temperatures so the implant will act predictably though out its useful lifetime. Also worth noting due to the often low glass transition temperatures of bioresorbable implants, they are often sterilized with ethylene dioxide instead of normal methods of sterilization such as high temperature/pressure, steam autoclaving. This also prevents degradation due to heat and hydrolysis. One of the more prevalent and promising bioresorbable implants being used today are Polylactic acids also known as PLAs for short. As the name suggests, Polylactic acids break down into Lactic acid which can then be metabolized by the body through natural pathways.. PLAs exist as two different stereoisomers from the polymerization of either L(Levorotary)-lactide (PLLA) or D(Dexorotary)-Lactide (PDLA) which can furthermore be mixed together through copolymerization to create a DL mixture commonly referred toss as PDLLAs.2 There are many microorganisms that produce lactides but some genetically engineered strains of Lactobacillus and Escherichia Coli are particularly useful due to their ability to selectively produce D-isomers or L-isomers. These Polymers can then be produced using the particular stereoisomer of lactides chosen by either direct condensation of lactic acid, or by ring-opening polymerization of cyclic lactide dimers. These polymers are then machined into shape for their desired purpose. Some materials properties or PLA include a glass transition temperature between 60-65 degrees Celsius which is important since the human body is at 37 degrees Celsius. This assures that the bioresorbable implant will act predictably throughout its lifetime.

PLLAs have a crystalline structure of about 37 % and may take as long as 5 years to degrade within the body. This can be seen as either a strength or a weaknesses. 5 years is an extremely long amount of time as far as healing goes. Ideally this process would take far less than 5 years. PDLAs on the other hand a more amorphous structure and degrade in a matter of months. This would suggest that a copolymer of PDLLA would be more ideal for most healing purposes. Current uses include plates pin screws etc. Really they can replace any low load bearing metal implant. PLA's are currently being tested for their use as spinal cages (also known as inter-body cages). These cages are placed between two spinal vertebrae often with a bone graft to replace degenerated or herniated discs. As the bone graft will grow the implant will degrade and allow a transfer of load to the graft. Results have been both positive and inconclusive depending on the study considered. The second polymer that is widely used and will be discussed are polyglycolic acids also known as PGAs for short. As the name suggests, Polyglycolic acids break down into Gylcolic acid which can then be metabolized by the body through natural pathways. PGAs on their own tend to unstable, losing their strength and degrading within a month. This is due to the fact that polyglycolic acid is a hyrdrophillic molecule and is therefore much more susceptible to degradation by Hydrolysis PGAs is often completely absorbed by the body within 14 weeks after implantation.3 PGAs, due to their faster degradation rates, are more widely used as a tissue reinforcement material, like sutures, in order to adhere tissues together and minimize tearing. PGAs would not be recommended for use in bone reduction as the material would degrade too fast and not allow for adequate healing times.