A study of the cause of metal failure in treatment of femur shaft fracture: Fractographical and clinical analysis of metal failure

Jeon, Chun Bae; Seo, Jae Sung; Ahn, Jong Chul; Ahn, Myun Whan; Ihn, Joo Chyl

Abstract

The author fractographically analyzed the cause of metal failure (the first time this procedure has been used for this metal failure) and also analyzed in clinically. In this study, I selected eight cases which have been analyzed fractographically. In all these cases, the analysis was done after treatment of metal failure of implants internally fixed to femur shaft fractures at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yeung-Nam University Hospital during the six year period from May 1983 to September 1989. 1. Metal failure occurred in five dynamic-compression plates, one Jewett nail, one screw in Rowe plate, and one interlocking nail. 2. The clinical cause of metal failure was deficiency of medial buttes in five cases, incorrect position of implant in one case, and incorrect selection of implant in two cases. 3. The time interval between internal fixation and metal failure was four months in one case, between five months to twelve months in six cases, three years in one case. 4. The fractographically analytical cause of metal failure was ; first, impact failure, one case, second, fatigue failure, six cases, machining mark (stress riser), four case type: low consistent cyclic fatigue failure irregular cyclic fatigue failure third, stress corrosion crack, one case. 5. 316 L Stainless Steel has good resistance to corrosion. However, when its peculiar surface film is destroyed by fretting, it shows pitting corrosion. This is, perhaps, the main cause of metal failure. 6. It is possible that mechanical injury occurred in implants during the manufacturing of implants or that making a screw hole in the main cause of metal failure.