A load-bearing bone fixation composite includes a polymer matrix, a plurality of polymer fibers aligned along a common axis and disposed in the polymer matrix, wherein the polymer matrix binds the surface of the polymer fibers, and a plurality of high aspect ratio nanorods coating at least a portion of each of the polymer fibers, wherein the long axis of at least a portion of the nanorods is aligned with the common axis, and wherein the high aspect nanorods have an aspect ratio of 10 or greater. Further included is a bone fixation device including the foregoing composite. A method of bone fixation comprises affixing the foregoing composite to a site of a load-bearing bone fracture, or maxillofacial bone fracture. Also included are methods of making the composites.
