Bacterial adhesion to orthopaedic implant materials and a novel oxygen plasma modified PEEK surface

- Novel models of pre- and postoperative bacterial adhesion were developed.
- Preoperative model: bacterial adhesion was increased on rough compared to smooth PEEK.
- A novel oxygen plasma treatment did not alter bacterial adhesion in the preoperative model.
- Postoperative model: oxygen plasma treatment had a species specific effect.
- Both pre and postoperative adhesion should be considered when evaluating biomaterials.