Biocompatible Magnesium Alloys: Their Role in Mitigating Muscle Degeneration and Promoting Regeneration – A Review

Abstract

Muscle degeneration following implant placement remains a major challenge in orthopedic and reconstructive surgery, often resulting in chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and impaired tissue regeneration. Traditionally, titanium alloys, cobaltchromium alloys, and stainless steel have been widely used in orthopedic implants due to their high mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. However, these materials are permanent and can induce foreign body reactions, chronic inflammation, and stress shielding over time. In contrast, biodegradable magnesium (Mg) alloys are emerging as promising alternatives, offering controlled degradation, bioactive ion release, and immunomodulatory properties. Mg implants have demonstrated the ability to reduce fibrosis, promote angiogenesis, and enhance tissue regeneration—key advantages over traditional metallic implants. Nevertheless, rapid and uncontrolled degradation, limited mechanical strength, and variability in clinical outcomes remain significant challenges. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the inter actions between various implant materials (titanium, cobalt-chromium, stainless steel, and Mg) and muscle tissue, with a focus on mechanisms related to inflammation, fibrosis, and regeneration. We discuss the comparative advantages and limitations of Mg alloys relative to conventional biomaterials and explore recent clinical and experimental findings regarding their application in orthopedic and soft tissue implants. While Mg alloys represent a transformative step toward biore sorbable implants, achieving controlled degradation rates and optimal mechanical properties remains a critical objective for future research. By balancing the stability of traditional implants with the regenerative benefits of Mg, next-generation biomaterials may offer superior outcomes in orthopedic and reconstructive applications.