Bone-bonding material receives CE mark.

Bone-bonding material receives CE mark. A high-strength material designed to aid in the treatment of patients with osteoporotic fractures has earned European regulatory approval. Cortoss, a product of Orthovita (Malvern, PA; 610/640-1775), mimics the strength and flexibility of human cortical bone. The synthetic bone material is suited for the fixture of bone screws that have difficulty maintaining stability in weak bone. Cortical bone is often surgically repaired using wires, hooks, metal plates, and screws, which help align the bone and keep it anchored. When bone strength is impaired—as is the case in osteoarthritic-fracture patients—the screws and hardware normally used in treatment may be unable to remain in place in the bone. Traditionally in such cases, a larger screw or longer device is used to replace a loose screw. Cortoss was developed to help bone screws maintain stability in osteoporotic bone, with the goal of helping patients heal faster and avoid repeated surgery.