| abstract |
A therapeutically effective compound is locally administered by associating the compound with a piece of orthopedic hardware (10) that is implanted at an appropriate site within a body. The compound is adapted, such as through a sustained release device,(15) to administer an effective dosage continuously over an extended period of time. The compound may be administered, for example, to a joint of a mammal by intraarticularly implanting a sustained release device (15) to deliver the therapeutically effective compound within a synovial capsule of the joint, such that synovial fluid concentration of the compound is greater than plasma concentration of the compound. A wide range of orthopedic hardware (10) , such as bone screws and staples, may be adapted to use in the systems described herein to provide treatment for a variety of medical conditions. |