Since the beginning of the 21st century, with the progress of materials science, medical metal implant materials have gradually changed from traditional inert metal materials such as 316L stainless steel and titanium alloy to degradable metal materials. Because of their good biocompatibility and suitable degradation rate, degradable metal materials can be absorbed by human body when they complete the implantation task, and no secondary surgery is needed to remove the implant, which has attracted wide attention. In the past decade, magnesium, iron and their alloys have been widely studied as medical degradable metals. Zinc is one of the essential nutrients for human body.Because of its good biocompatibility and suitable degradation rate, zincbased alloy has become another widely used medical degradable metal in recent years after magnesium-based and iron-based alloys. However, the design and preparation of zinc-based alloys are still in the initial stage, and a lot of research works need to be completed. In this paper, the research progress of biodegradable zinc used in orthopedics in recent years was reviewed. The relationships between the mechanical properties,biodegradability and biocompatibility of zinc and its alloys and the alloying and manufacturing technology of zinc were discussed.