Osteosynthesis Material Failure: Poor Fixation or Material Defect

Abstract:

Rising rate of high energy trauma, mainly due to increasing life expectancy of the population on a global scale in recent decades and more intense daily activity, involves the need to address the increase of more complex fractures, thus putting to the test the experience of trauma surgeon and the quality of various osteosynthesis materials. Metallic materials designed for orthopedic implants must present a group of properties that strength, biocompatibility and resistance to degradation (corrosion or wear) are of primary importance. To reach these objectives, the materials used in the manufacture of orthopedic implants must meet standard requirements. These requirements include primarily standard chemical composition, microstructure and macroscopic appearance. In this paper we present a study to determine the cause of degradation of osteosynthesis material. The most frequent causes of degradation include poor or unstable fixation of osteosynthesis or material defects. A valuation technique, including optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to assess aspects of macroscopic and microstructural degradation and chemical composition of implants. These assessments showed that both design errors and inappropriate surgical procedures were due to failures.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 717)
• Pages: 249-252
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.717.249
• Online since: July 2013
• Authors: Catalin Cirstoiu, Razvan Ene, Dan Popescu, Monica Cirstoiu
• Keywords: Analysis, Assembly, Degradation, Failure, Microscopy

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