A metallurgical survey of current orthopedic implants

Abstract

SummaryA number of stainless steel and Vitallium orthopedic implants were purchased from the manufacturers and analyzed to determine their metallurgical soundness. From this sampling of current orthopedic implants over 50% contain metallurgical defects and deficiencies similar to those which have been shown previously to cause failures.

Orthopedic implants—a clinical and metallurgical analysis

“…The need for standardized metallurgical product emphasizing quality control is evident and the results of this survey amplify those already reported (5,6,(10)(11)(12). Even though the actual incidence is low, it is essential that every effort be made to prevent the fatigue failure by applying the best engineering and materials technology.…”

Welds in the Stems of Cast Cobalt Chrome Femoral Components for Use in Total Hip Replacements

“…Previous workers studying the metallurgy of orthopaedic implants mentioned the deleterious effect of welds in stainless steel (Scales 1958;Cahoon and Paxton 1970), but we have seen no reference to welds in cobalt chrome or to the effect of such welds. In the course of a study of femoral components which fractured in service, we came across a number of cobalt chrome components which had been welded.…”

Survey of materials for hard‐tissue prosthesis

“…A variety of avoidable fabrication and compositional defects in failed orthopedic devices have been reported by the previous authors [4] and by Cahoon and Paxton [5], The latter also reported [6] that from a sampling of stainless steel and vitallium orthopedic implants over 50% contained defects of the kind which had previously shown to cause failure. For example, some items had local Mo content below 2.0%, a situation which can enhance pitting corrosion in 316 steels.…”