BACKGROUND:: Drug delivery system in orthopedics department has become an important method for orthopedic diseases. As a part of it, drug-loaded artificial bone is a newly emerging treatment at present. OBJECTIVE:: To review the classification, property, research methods and research direction of drug-loaded artificial bone. METHODS:: PubMed and VIP databases were searched by first author (2001/2011) for papers concerning the classification, research methods and application of drug-loaded artificial bone. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:: There are three main types of drug-loaded artificial bones: hydroxylapatite, calcium phosphate cement and bioglass. The former two have gradually applied to clinical research and treatment. Bioglass is a new research material recently, which has special functions as filling bone materials and drug released carriers, but its properties and application are need to further study. The research methods of drug-loaded artificial bone can start with the mechanisms, such as drug carrier hole choice, artificial bone preparation, drug ingredients of drug-loaded artificial bones and drug release of artificial bone. Drug-loaded artificial bones are the drug carrier and can repair bone defects, besides, they can induce the growth and snchronous degradation. They are ideal and effective methods in the application of osteomyelitis, bone defects as well as the prevention of artificial joint infection owing to their easy operation and good effectiveness.