MAPLE-prepared graphene oxide-based coatings for improved orthopedic screws used in knee interventions

Orthopedic screws are subjected to high mechanical stress, corrosive environment, and microbial colonization, which may cumulatively lead to implant failure and periprosthetic joint infections. To overcome these issues, this study has focused on modifying the surface chemistry and topography of screws utilized in knee intervention toward enhancing their mechanical and biological behaviors. Specifically, this study has explored the optimization of composite coatings made of polycaprolactone (PCL), graphene oxide (GO), and Meropenem (MRP) via the matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique. The PCL/GO/MRP coatings aimed to upgrade the surfaces of the implantable fixation devices, offering superior antimicrobial properties, reduced biofilm formation, and better mechanical characteristics. Comprehensive physicochemical analyses, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Raman microscopy, confirmed uniform deposition, efficient material transfer, and preservation of functional groups. The developed coatings displayed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with a marked reduction in biofilm formation compared to uncoated surfaces. Thus, this work highlights the potential of the designed PCL/GO/MRP coatings as a strategy to enhance the biocompatibility and longevity of orthopedic screws, minimize complications related to implant-associated infections in knee surgeries, and ultimately improve post-surgical outcomes to increase patients’ quality of life.