Open AccessBiocompatible Porous Tantalum Metal Plates in the Treatment of Tibial Fracture
Author(s) -
Zhao Dewei,
Ma Zhijie,
Wang Tienan,
Liu Baoyi
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
orthopaedic surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.666
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1757-7861
pISSN - 1757-7853
DOI - 10.1111/os.12432
Subject(s) - nonunion , tibia , tantalum , materials science , medicine , fixation (population genetics) , bone healing , orthopedic surgery , surgery , metallurgy , population , environmental health
Fractures of the tibia represent a common class of injuries in orthopedics. The blood supply to the tibia is poor due to the small subcutaneous muscle tissues inside. Consequently, the tibia is prone to delayed fracture healing and nonunion of the fracture after surgery. In this case, we used porous tantalum metal plate to treat nonunion of a tibial fracture and achieved satisfactory therapeutic effects. For the first time in the field, we used 3D printing technology to fabricate porous tantalum metal plates for the treatment of tibial fractures. The resulting porous tantalum metal exhibited excellent mechanical and biological properties, and improved the therapeutic effects for the treatment of a tibial fracture nonunion. Porous tantalum metal plates have great application potential as a new implant material for internal fixation.