title: Absorbable fixation in forefoot surgery: a viable alternative to metallic hardware.
abstract: After 4 to 8 weeks of normal primary bone healing, rigid internal fixation is no longer required. Newer generation absorbable implants have become reliable and cost-effective alternatives to metallic hardware. Modern implants are formulated to have increased strength and smoother resorption over the course of 18 to 24 months, which decreases the possibility of local inflammation. Historically, bioresorbable screws can be time consuming to insert, but newer devices are being developed that help ease their insertion. A case of a bunionectomy is presented with double osteotomy on a 40-year-old nurse fixated with polyglycolic acid and poly-l-lactic acid copolymer screws.
authors.affiliation: Foot and Ankle Associates of Southwest Virginia, 1802 Braeburn Drive, Suite M120, Salem, VA 24153, USA. david.l.nielson@gmail.com
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Nielson
authors.forename: Nathan J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Charles M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Zelen
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000328:Adult; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005545:Forefoot, Human / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006215:Hallux Valgus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D011091:Polyesters; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D011108:Polymers / Q000494:pharmacology; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)
keywords: Absorbable fixation; ORIF; Polydiaxonone; Polyglycolic acid; Polylactic acid; Tornier RFS screw