Introduction
A failure analysis was performed on stainless steel back supports (Knodt Rod)
that failed after being surgically implanted in a female patient. The Knodt Rods
are used as an internal fixator for promoting fusion for repair of the lumbar
spine. They consist of two hooks that are threaded onto a rod. One end has right
hand threads and the other left hand threads. This allows the hooks to move in
opposite directions when the rod is rotated. This allows the hooks to be spread
apart with the turning of the rod.
Procedure and Results
The subject Knodt Rod was examined visually and with a scanning electron
microscope (SEM).
Figure #1: The two failed back support rods as received
Figure #2: Representative SEM macrograph of one of the four
fracture surfaces created when the two rods failed. Both rods failed in fatigue.
Both failures originated at the root of a thread.
Figure #3: SEM photomicrograph of threads on one of the Knodt
rods. At left is a magnification of the root of the thread showing cracks at the
root of the thread. This is the type of crack that initiated the fatigue failure
(Mag. approximately 30X).
Discussion
The Knodt rods failed from fatigue cracks that initiated at the
root of the threads. The simple explanation for this failure is that the part
could not survive, over time, the working loads. This situation could be
improved by increasing the radius at the root of the threads. Further study is
required to determine further improvements. |
