Magnesium biomaterials: past, present and future

Following a reinvigorated interest in the late 1990s, magnesium (Mg) and its alloys have experienced increasing research attention in the realm of biomaterials. From essentially no papers on the topic several years ago, there are currently 10–15 articles published in international journals each week dealing with different aspects of Mg bioperformance. Given the dynamic nature of the topic, many works reproduce a great deal of information in a non-systematic manner and, unfortunately, also repeat the same systematic errors, which lead to many articles providing information of limited value. This review seeks to provide a succinct overview of the area, highlighting some of the most important considerations for this field and suggesting critical improvements and changes that are needed to ensure the continual and efficient development of Mg biomaterials.