Stainless steel in bone surgery

Abstract

Today, stainless steel is one of the most frequently used biomaterials for internal fixation devices because of a favorable combination of mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and cost effectiveness when compared to other metallic implant materials. The biocompatibility of implant quality stainless steel has been proven by successful human implantation for decades. Composition, microstructure and tensile properties of stainless steel used for internal fixation is standardized in ISO and ASTM material specifications. Metallurgical requirements are stringent to ensure sufficient corrosion resistance, nonmagnetic response, and satisfactory mechanical properties. Torsional properties of stainless steel screws are different from titanium screws. Stainless steel bone screws are easier to handle because the surgeon can feel the onset of plastic deformation and this provides adequate prewarning to avoid overtorquing the screw. New nickel-free stainless steels have been recently developed primarily to address the issue of nickel sensitivity. These stainless steels also have superior mechanical properties and better corrosion resistance. The Ni-free compositions appear to possess an extraordinary combination of attributes for potential implant applications in the future.