Implant breakage in proximal femoral Nails: A data-linked state-wide assessment of failures and the role of iatrogenic implant damage
Sites: University of Western Australia and The Centre for Implant Technology Retrieval Analysis WA (CITRA)
Authors: Anton Lambers, Alan Kop, Peter D’Alessandro, Piers Yates
After completing a Masters of Surgery by research in 2020 Dr Lambers continued his research work. This 26,000 word research thesis is the output from Dr Lambers’ 2025 PhD work. This research investigated why metal rods used to repair hip fractures sometimes break, potentially causing serious complications for patients.
By reviewing international research and analysing thousands of operations across Western Australia, it found that breakage is uncommon (approximately 0.6%), but some implant designs are more likely to break, and break sooner, than others. The research also examined damage caused to implants during surgery, finding that scratches and other damage were extremely common, and developed a new system to assess and document this damage. These findings provide important insights into implant safety and performance, with the aim of improving implant design, surgical techniques and ultimately patient outcomes.
