a bioerodible implantable material , comprising a bioerodible polymer that produces acidic products upon hydrolytic degradation , and a buffering compound that buffers the acidic products and maintains the local ph within a desired range . the buffer compound acts to reduce the inflammatory foreign body response generated by the acidic products and reduces the sterile abscess condition that occurs at the site of the bioerodible implant materials of the prior art . materials made according to the invention may be used for internal fixation devices for bone repair .