Fundamentals of biomaterials

The definition for biomaterial proposed by the European Society for Biomaterials Consensus Conference II quotes: A biomaterial is a material intended to interface with biological systems to evaluate, treat, augment or replace any tissue, organ or function of the body. In hand surgery, biomaterials may interact with tendons, nerves, and bones. Interaction with bone is, by far, the most often required, and the vast amount of knowledge accumulated in relation to other anatomic regions, such as the hip or knee, can be transferred to the hand. This chapter reviews the main classes of materials that may be used in hand surgery, with an emphasis on what has been acquired by histomorphological studies.