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Surgically-induced deformation in biodegradable orthopaedic implant devices
Aditya Joshi1, George J Dias2, Mark P Staiger1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Acta Biomaterialia
|October 24, 2022
Summary
Surgically induced plastic strain in biodegradable magnesium alloy implants can accelerate corrosion. This study quantifies strain using 3D laser scanning and modeling, revealing potential localized corrosion risks for orthopedic devices.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthopaedic Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Biodegradable metals offer promise for orthopaedic implants but require controlled in vivo corrosion rates for successful bone healing.
- Surgical implantation can introduce plastic deformation to metallic devices, potentially impacting their degradation behavior.
- The effect of surgical strain on the in vivo mechanochemical performance of degradable orthopaedic devices is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a technique for quantifying plastic strain introduced during the surgical implantation of degradable orthopaedic devices.
- To investigate the influence of surgically-induced plastic strain on the corrosion rate of a magnesium-based alloy used in bone fixation.
Main Methods:
- A novel combined experimental-modelling approach utilizing 3D laser scanning in situ and the finite element method was employed.
- Plastic strain was quantified in a magnesium-zinc-calcium (ZX10) alloy craniofacial miniplate after surgical implantation in a cadaveric porcine model.
- The effect of clinically-relevant pre-strain on the corrosion rate of ZX10 was evaluated in vitro.
Main Results:
- The combined approach successfully quantified the magnitude and distribution of plastic strains introduced to the magnesium alloy miniplate during surgical implantation.
- The determined plastic strains indicate that the surgical procedure can enhance the corrosion rate of the magnesium alloy, potentially in a localized manner.
- In vitro testing demonstrated that pre-strain significantly influences the corrosion rate of the ZX10 magnesium alloy.
Conclusions:
- Surgical implantation procedures can impart significant plastic strain to biodegradable magnesium alloy orthopaedic devices.
- Surgically-induced plastic strain has the potential to accelerate and localize the corrosion of magnesium-based implants.
- This quantification technique is valuable for designing biodegradable metallic devices that account for in vivo mechanical loading and degradation profiles.
