Electrochemical Biosensing in Smart Orthopedic Implants: Functional Materials and Interfacial Mechanisms

Abstract

Emerging within fracture and joint surgery, smart orthopedic implants now carry built‐in biosensors that shift how recovery is tracked over time. Instead of depending only on scheduled scans and physical methods slow to catch issues like poor bone mending or hidden infections a new path opens. Embedded sensors continuously track mechanical forces and biochemical signals at the tissue implant interface. Molecular interactions at sensor surfaces alter charge transfer, current flow, and material conductance, converting biological changes into measurable electronic outputs. Physiology‐based in situ data means making decisions in the clinical practice as the symptoms are present even without appearing, based on physiology. In this review, the recent developments of sensor‐integrated orthopedic implants to monitor strain, pressure, temperature, and biochemical signals for bone healing evaluation, implant stability, and inflammatory monitoring are discussed. The attention is given to smart materials like conductive nanoparticles, polymer composites, surface engineered electrodes for enhanced sensitivity, mechanical compatibility, and biocompatibility. Surface chemistry, electron‐transfer kinetics, and interfacial stability are essential for good long‐term performance. Material degradation, signal drift and biostability are among the key challenges that are critically examined. Various protective polymer barriers, anti‐fouling surfaces and electrode fluid interfaces optimization methods are mentioned to achieve durability and consistency.