Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42004691›Full record

ArticleOrthopedic research and reviews2026

Titanium versus Biodegradable Implants for Fracture Fixation: A Retrospective Comparative Study.

Wajid Ullah, Aierbanjiang Shali, Alimujiang Abulaiti, Cheng Erlin, Aihemaitijiang Yusufu

Abstract read
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Article in Orthopedic research and reviews, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Wajid UllahDepartment of Trauma and Microreconstructive Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China.
Aierbanjiang ShaliDepartment of Trauma and Microreconstructive Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China.
Alimujiang AbulaitiDepartment of Trauma and Microreconstructive Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China.
Cheng ErlinDepartment of Trauma and Microreconstructive Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China.
Aihemaitijiang YusufuDepartment of Trauma and Microreconstructive Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Titanium alloy implants are widely used in fracture fixation due to their excellent mechanical stability, but they often require secondary surgeries for removal. In contrast, biodegradable implants eliminate the need for removal, yet concerns regarding their mechanical strength in load-bearing bones remain. This study evaluates the clinical trade-off between mechanical rigidity and the burden of secondary surgery by comparing titanium versus biodegradable implants in limb and pelvic fractures. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 73 patients treated between November 2021 and August 2024. Patients were divided into the titanium group (n = 40, primarily diaphyseal fractures) and the biodegradable group (n = 33, primarily metaphyseal/peri-articular fractures). Outcomes including implant palpability and reoperation rates were assessed. A stratified analysis compared outcomes in weight-bearing versus non-weight-bearing fractures. Results: The mean age of patients was 42.6 ± 16.03 years. Titanium implants were associated with significantly higher rates of plate palpability (18/40, 45.0% vs 3/33, 9.1%; OR 8.18, 95% CI 2.14-31.3; Conclusion: In this cohort, biodegradable implants were associated with a reduction in implant palpability and elective removal surgery for metaphyseal and peri-articular fractures. However, due to lower mechanical strength, titanium remains the preferred choice for diaphyseal fractures requiring high mechanical stability. These findings are limited by the retrospective design and heterogeneity of fracture sites.

Indexed as

biodegradable implantsfracture fixationplate palpabilitysecondary surgerytitanium implants

Identifiers

PMID42004691
PMCPMC13089258

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