Stress shielding is a phenomenon observed when metal implants, such as bone plates and screws, are employed in the treatment of fractures or during joint replacement surgery.
These metal implants exhibit greater stiffness compared to the surrounding bone, thus reducing the stress experienced by the bone.
Consequently, this alteration in stress distribution can trigger bone resorption, a process wherein bone is broken down and absorbed by the body, resulting in a loss of bone mass around the implant.
To prevent stress shielding, it’s best if the implant material’s elasticity is as close as that of the bone.
Among the metallic materials used in implants, Ti6Al4V ELI (Grade 5 ELI) possesses the closest elasticity to that of bone.
For more information, contact us at info@horizontitanium.com
