Modern Plasma Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery: A Brief History and Outlook

Modern plasma medicine is a field of medical research combining plasma physics, life sciences, and clinical medicine. It aims to achieve direct application of physical plasma on or in the human body for therapeutic purposes. In medical contexts, the term plasma denotes the liquid component of blood, while in the physical sciences, it refers to ionized gas—also known as the fourth state of matter alongside solid, liquid, and gas. The biological effects of plasma are based on various mechanisms, involving synergistic actions of reactive species such as ionized argon gas molecules and ultraviolet light. Cold-atmospheric plasma (CAP), a specific subtype of plasma, maintain temperatures below 104°F/40°C at the application point, allowing plasma treatment on living tissue at tissue tolerable temperatures. The invention of CAP generating devices has expanded the possibilities for clinical application of plasma in medicine, with growing evidence supporting its efficacy in bacterial load reduction and potential biofilm eradication through debridement. Its antimicrobial effect, coupled with minimal adverse effects on healthy cells, positions it as a promising alternative or additional therapy option. This review provides an overview of current clinical applications of plasma medicine and explores potential roles for plasma application in orthopaedic surgery.