Rationale for the Design and Use of Pure Titanium Internal Fixation Plates

Commercially pure titanium is standardized by ISO 5832-2 and has better fatigue strength than stainless steel. Its other mechanical properties are comparable to the properties of stainless steel.

Bone plates need contouring in most cases of application. A retrospective evaluation of more than 500 clinical cases showed that the initiated strain by contouring is on average about 1.6% below the elongation at fracture for cp titanium. Therefore, contouring of titanium plates having equivalent design to stainless steel plates is not critical.

The most important properties of pure titanium are its excellent biocompatibility and its corrosion resistance. The metal is protected by a very thin and tough layer of titanium oxide. Anodizing gives the titanium oxide layer a certain color.

No allergic reactions to cp titanium are known so far. The debris of titanium caused by relative movement of implant parts which are in contact consists of titanium oxide and has a dark color. This may be sometimes undesirable for cosmetic reasons but the particles do not contain any toxic element.

Pure Titanium is an appropriate material for bone plates and screws used for internal fixation.