Intramedullary migration of a bone plate and screws. A case report.
Intramedullary migration of an internal fixation device was noted in a 61-year-old woman, 56 years after treatment of a fractured femur. Gross, histologic, and metallurgic findings served to explain the disintegration of the metal plate and screws. The "migration" of the plate and screws is a manifestation of normal bone growth and demonstrates the remarkable potential for internal remodeling of bone.
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D005269:Femur / Q000254:growth & development; D005547:Foreign Bodies; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel; D013997:Time Factors; D014639:Vanadium
D014639:Vanadium; D009532:Nickel