If after fixation of a fracture, there is failure to unite within certain amount of time, there is danger of implant getting failed.
With improved qualities of implants, meticulous surgical techniques and careful postoperative protocols, the failures can be reduced.
But still failures do occur.
After a fracture is fixed there is kind of race between fracture union and implant fatigue. Fatigue is the progressive and localized structural damage that occurs in materials when a material is subjected to cyclic loading.
In other words every time an implant is subjected to stress, there occurs a damage to it. Repetitive damage accumulates over the periods and ultimately leads to breakage of the implant.
This is one kind of fixation failure.
Due to non biological stresses and forces the implant itself may loosen where it is fixed to the bone. Earliest sign of loosening is the radiolucent line that appears around the implant.
Loosening may lead to failure of the fixation.
If bone has not united till the time of failure, non union may result.
Following xrays are of 38 years old female who had been operated for fracture shaft of humerus about 6 months back.
She complained of pain in the arm for past two months. AP and lateral view of arm were done and revealed following.
Anteroposterior view above shows radiolucent area around the screws [marked with arrow on one screw] and there appears a lack of union.
The lateral view revealed an area of radiolucency (black line) almost all around the plate signifying that the plate itself was also loose.
The non union is very evident on lateral view.
The patient treated with bone grafting and intelock nailing of the humerus.
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Related posts:
- AP and Lateral Xrays of Fracture Capitellum and Medial Epicondyle Humerus Fixed With Screws
- Xray of Fracture Shaft of Humerus With Failed Implant
- Spiral Fracture of Humerus Fixed With Interfragmentary Screw and Locking Compression Plate
- Fracture Proximal Phalanges Fixed With K Wire
- Broken Fixed Angle Blade Plate In Intertrochanteric Fracture
is there any chances of implant failure when in brace i was treated with humerus plating on 16th of november now today getting slight pain at fracture sight and at shoulder joint.
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
January 7th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
@vinayak,
Have you got an xray done. It would explain the things better.