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Analysis of the Mechanism of Fracture of Silicone Metacarpophalangeal Prostheses

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Tom Joyce

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Abstract

Eleven fractured Sutter metacarpophalangeal prostheses were obtained from the hands of three patients. All of the implants had fractured at the junction of the distal stem and the hinge. After visual examination, the fracture faces were prepared and viewed using a scanning electron microscope. These images indicated that fracture was initiated by abrasion on the dorsal aspect of the distal stem of the prostheses, close to the hinge. Crack propagation was shown to be due to a fatigue process. Once a crack started, its direction of travel could be followed, using topographical features common to engineering fracture analyses. Propagation was from radial to ulnar and from dorsal to palmar.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Joyce TJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Hand Surgery

Year: 2009

Volume: 34E

Issue: 1

Pages: 18-24

ISSN (print): 1753-1934

ISSN (electronic): 1532-2211

Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1753193408093808

DOI: 10.1177/1753193408093808

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