What Are the Common Signs of Implant Failure?

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Orthopedic implants not only stabilize broken bones but also provide new life to individuals by improving mobility and quality of life. However, advancements in trauma implants have improved the success rate of surgeries and helped surgeons with much more surgical precision, implant failure is still a concern in some patients. Although not so common, orthopedic implant failure does occur in some individuals. There are some signs of this issue and we will be addressing some of the common ones in this post. Let us start with a brief look at what orthopedic implant failure is.

What is Meant by Orthopedic Implant Failure?

Failure is a term that says something is not working as expected. So, failure of orthopedic implants defines that the device implanted to fix a fracture or any joint problem is delivering the expected results. This could be because of implant breakage or irritation to the patient while doing daily activities. Besides this, there could be other reasons as well like mechanical issues and wrong implant selection. Let us now move on to why an implant may fail.

Why does Failure of Orthopedic Implants Occur?

Here are some of the common reasons for implant failure:

Infection

Infection at the operated site is among the commonest symptoms of implant failure. This could either occur during the surgery or post-surgery. In such cases, bacteria may enter through the surgical wound and enter the bloodstream. As a result, the implant may fail and it needs to be removed or replaced.

Implant Breakage

Sometimes, the implant breaks after the surgery. There may be several reasons for the same including the use of poor-quality implants, putting unnecessary stress on the operated site, ignoring post-surgical instructions, or an accident. In any such event, surgery is needed to remove the broken implant and replace it with a fresh one.

Wrong Implant Selection

Though not so common, the application of a wrong implant may also be a reason for its failure. Sometimes, inexperienced surgeons make the mistake of selecting the wrong implant. Once placed, it cannot bear the stress of that area or fit well there. Hence, it is likely to cause problems that can become severe if not addressed timely.

Loosening of Implant

It is seen that in some cases, the implant becomes loose after some time and starts causing problems. Again, there could be several reasons for implant loosening including poor bone quality, improper surgical technique, infection, and putting too much weight on the affected site. So, if the implant becomes loose, it is risky to leave it like that.

Poor Bone Quality

Conditions like osteopenia or osteoporosis may sometimes result in implant failure despite choosing the right implant and placing it surgically correctly. This is because these conditions make bones weak by increasing their porosity. As a result, the implant becomes slowly displaced eventually leaving its original position. This is why experienced orthopedic surgeons perform thorough bone density examinations to minimize this risk and ensure a better quality of life.

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