Failure of VariAx® Distal Radial Locking Plate: Fractographic Analysis and Report of Two Cases

Authors

  • Paras Mohanlal Orthopaedic Department, Medway NHS Foundation Trust, Kent, ME7 5NY, UK
  • Christopher James Orthopaedic Department, Medway NHS Foundation Trust, Kent, ME7 5NY, UK
  • Amit Tolat Orthopaedic Department, Medway NHS Foundation Trust, Kent, ME7 5NY, UK
  • Ambrose Taylor Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, UK
  • Andrew Amis Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, UK and Musculoskeletal Surgery Group, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Charing Cross Hospital, London W6 8RF, UK

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12974/2313-0954.2014.01.02.8

Keywords:

Distal radius, osteotomy, locking plate, implant failure

Abstract

We describe two cases of atraumatic fracture of VariAx® distal radial locking plate following its use in distal radial osteotomies. The plates fractured through an unused screw hole at the level of the osteotomy. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the fracture surfaces. This confirmed that there had been fatigue failure and did not find evidence of abnormal composition or structure of the metal. These cases are important because they highlight that this new and innovative implant can be prone to failure, and demonstrate the requirement for adequate surgical technique and metalwork protection following surgery.

References

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Published

2022-05-25

How to Cite

Mohanlal, P., James, C., Tolat, A., Taylor, A., & Amis, A. (2022). Failure of VariAx® Distal Radial Locking Plate: Fractographic Analysis and Report of Two Cases. International Journal of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, 1(2), 74–78. https://doi.org/10.12974/2313-0954.2014.01.02.8

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2014)

Section

Articles