My father in law is having surgery to remove the bones under his big toe. The doctor said he would make an incision on the top of the foot and remove the bone and insert beads. What are beads and what is their purpose. He said they were made of the same material as cement.

The most common beads used in podiatric surgery are antibiotic beads. The main component of these antibiotic beads is bone cement which is made out of a polymer and infused with antibiotics.

The purpose of these beads is to treat a local infection especially if there is poor circulation. Likely your father in law has osteomyelitis – a bacterial infection of the bone – which is why he is having his bones removed and beads inserted. The beads will release the antibiotic locally and kill the bacteria in the tissue. Depending on the composition of the bead, some may actually be absorbed into the body over time.