Abstract
We describe a single case report of the use of polylactic acid absorbable internal fixation screws (Biofix, Bioscience Ltd, Tampere, Finland) for the operative repair of a Pipkin type N hip fracture. Five months later a diagnosis of secondary avascular necrosis of the same femoral head was made on magnetic resonance imaging with no image degradation due to the presence of the screws. The use of biodegradable internal fixation devices therefore has the added advantage of allowing artefact-free postoperative imaging.
Highlights
Many radiologists today are unaware of the use of absorbable internal fixation devices in orthopaedicsurger~These absorbable or biodegradable internal fixation devices or implants are being used in the place of the more traditional metallic rods, wires and screws
The first reported clinical use of . absorbable internal fixation devices occurred in Finland in 1984 in a number of ankle fracture repairs
The materials used in the manufacture of these devices are synthetic polymeric composites, the most important of these being polyglycolic acid (PGA) and polylactic acid (PLA)
Summary
Many radiologists today are unaware of the use of absorbable internal fixation devices in orthopaedicsurger~. These absorbable or biodegradable internal fixation devices or implants are being used in the place of the more traditional metallic rods, wires and screws. The presence of metallic devices can result in significant imaging artefacts with magnetic resonance imaging, which can result in sub-optimal postoperative imaging. The use of absorbable fixation devices allows the radiologist the opportunity of obtaining optimal artefact-free postoperative imaging as an additional advantage
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