Sustained Antibiotic Release from Biodegradable Gelatin–Silica Hybrid for Orthopedic Infections

Abstract Antibiotic‐loaded polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads are commonly employed to treat prosthetic joint infections (PJI) and chronic osteomyelitis due to their excellent mechanical strength. However, PMMA's non‐degradability results in a burst release of antibiotics and potential renal toxicity, necessitating additional surgeries for bead removal. There is a critical need for infection control materials that can deliver antibiotics effectively, maintain adequate mechanical strength, and degrade uniformly. This study introduces a gelatin–silica hybrid antibiotic carrier, characterized by covalent bonds between the gelatin and silica networks. The incorporation of the silica network enhances the compressive strength to 32.53 ± 2.4 MPa and ensures uniform degradation over 6 months, aligning with clinical timelines. Furthermore, the gelatin–silica hybrid can support up to 10 wt% antibiotic loading without compromising its properties, making it a promising candidate for next‐generation infection control materials.