TITLE:
Mechanical Failure of Internal Fixation and Arthroplasty Implants in the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Bouaké University Hospital, Côte d’Ivoire
AUTHORS:
Loukou Blaise Yao, Akobé Jean Regis Achie, Sery Bada Justin Léopold, Ibrahim Soumahoro, Soré Oumar Roger, Michel Kodo
KEYWORDS:
Arthroplasty, Mechanical Failure, Implant Loosening, Implant Breakage, Osteosynthesis
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Orthopedics,
Vol.16 No.10,
October
20,
2026
ABSTRACT: Objective: To describe the mechanical failures of internal fixation constructs and arthroplasty implants managed. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive observational study of all patients admitted and treated for mechanical failure of an internal fixation construct or of an arthroplasty implant between 2015 and 2025. The variables studied were the characteristics of the series and the characteristics of the mechanical failures. Results: Forty-three patient records were collected over the study period. The mean age was 40 ± 16 years. There were 27 men (63%). Loosening or disassembly of the fixation construct and implant breakage accounted for 53% (n = 23) and 30% (n = 13) of cases, respectively. Arthroplasty failure occurred in two cases (5%). The most frequent causes were unauthorised early weight-bearing on the lower limb (n = 15; 35%), comminuted fracture (n = 7; 16%) and unidentified causes (n = 7; 16%). Treatment consisted of implant removal followed by revision fixation with a screw plate (n = 15; 35%), a locked intramedullary nail (n = 13; 31%) or a sliding hip screw-plate (n = 9; 21%), and cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty (n = 2; 5%). Five postoperative infections were recorded (11%). Among the 35 patients reviewed, the mean time to bone union was 6 ± 2 months (range 4 - 7). Both revised arthroplasties had a favourable outcome. Conclusion: Loosening or disassembly of the internal fixation construct was the most frequently observed mechanical failure in this series, with the femur as the predominant site. Arthroplasty failure was rare. The most frequent cause was unauthorised early weight-bearing on the lower limb.