Orthopedic screws play a crucial role in the realm of orthopedic surgery, where their primary function is to stabilize and facilitate the healing of fractured or damaged bones. You design these remarkable devices with precision and manufacture them from biocompatible materials to ensure they effectively integrate with the patient’s body. In this comprehensive blog, we will delve into the world of orthopedic screws, exploring what they are, the various types available, and their key features.
Understanding Orthopedic Screws
Orthopedic screws serve as specialized medical instruments used to support the healing process of fractured or compromised bones. Their design is purpose-built for this task, and they play a pivotal role in enabling orthopedic surgeons to mend and restore the skeletal system to its natural state.
Types of Orthopedic Screws
Cortical Screws: These screws are engineered for use in denser bone regions, typically the shaft of long bones. Their design provides secure fixation and ensures the bone fragments remain aligned during the healing process.
Cancellous Screws: In contrast, cancellous screws are specially designed for softer bone, such as those found near joints or areas with lower bone density. They feature a broader thread that offers stability without compromising the bone’s integrity.
Locking Screws: Locking screws are often paired with locking plates to provide a fixed-angle construct. Surgeons commonly use this combination to enhance stability, especially in complex fractures or cases where bone stability is crucial.
Non-Locking Screws: Non-locking screws, also known as conventional screws or lag screws, are designed to compress bone fragments together without locking them into place. Their primary role is to provide compression and maintain alignment, making them ideal for fractures that don’t require rigid fixation. These screws have a standard thread design, and their main function is to create compression across the fracture site, allowing natural bone healing while ensuring stability.
Cannulated Screws: Cannulated screws are hollow in the center, allowing for the insertion of a guide wire. This feature aids in precise placement, particularly in intricate surgeries.
Key Features of Orthopedic Screws
- Biocompatibility: One of the most critical features of orthopedic screws is their biocompatibility. Typically, they craft these from materials like titanium or stainless steel, both of which the human body tolerates well. This reduces the risk of adverse reactions or complications post-surgery.
- Thread Design: The thread design of orthopedic screws is carefully engineered to provide optimal engagement with the bone, ensuring a secure and stable fixation. These threads vary depending on the type of screw, offering specific advantages for different applications.
- Size and Length Options: Orthopedic implants screws come in various sizes and lengths to accommodate different anatomical sites and patient requirements. Surgeons must select the appropriate size to ensure an ideal fit and optimal stabilization.
- Self-Tapping Capability: Many orthopedic screws are equipped with self-tapping capabilities. This means they can create their own path through the bone during insertion, simplifying the surgical process and reducing the risk of damage to the bone.
- Countersinking: Some orthopedic implants screws are designed to be countersunk, allowing them to sit flush with the bone’s surface. This minimizes irritation and discomfort, particularly in cases where the screw may be close to the skin’s surface.
- Dual-Thread Screws: Dual-thread screws feature two sets of threads with different pitches. This design enhances their pull-out resistance and compression capabilities, making them suitable for more demanding applications.
- Locking Mechanisms: Locking screws, when combined with locking plates, provide an additional layer of stability. They create a fixed connection between the screw and the plate, ensuring that the bone fragments remain securely in place.
Different Types of Bone Screws by Zealmax Ortho
Locking Screws:
Orthopedic and trauma surgeons often use locking screws designed to establish a fixed connection between the screw and the plate. This mechanism helps in achieving a higher degree of stability compared to non-locking screws. There are two main types of locking screws:
- Cortical Locking Screws: These screws are used in denser bone regions, typically in the shaft of long bones. They provide strong fixation, maintaining alignment during healing, and are valuable in cases where stability is critical.
- Cancellous Locking Screws: Specifically designed for softer bone, cancellous locking screws have a broader thread profile. They offer stability without compromising the bone’s integrity, often used near joints and in regions with lower bone density.
Non-Locking Screws:
Non-locking screws, also known as conventional screws or lag screws, do not create a fixed connection between the screw and the plate. Their primary role is to provide compression and maintain alignment, rather than rigid fixation. Two common types are:
- Cortical Screws: Cortical non-locking screws are used in denser bone areas, such as the shaft of long bones. They create compression between bone fragments, ensuring stability without locking them into place.
- Cancellous Screws: These screws are ideal for softer bone regions, like those found near joints or areas with lower bone density. Cancellous non-locking screws feature a broader thread that provides stability without compromising the bone’s integrity.
Pedicle Screws:
Orthopedic surgeons use pedicle screws, which are a specialized type of orthopedic screw, in spinal surgery. Their primary function is to anchor spinal instrumentation, such as rods, plates, or cages, to the vertebral pedicles.
Pedicle screws offer a high degree of stability and are crucial in the treatment of various spinal conditions, such as degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, or fractures. They provide three-dimensional control over spinal segments, allowing precise alignment and fixation.
Manufacturing Facility for Orthopedic Screws: An In-Depth Overview
When it comes to producing high-quality orthopedic implants screws, Zealmax Ortho stands as a beacon of expertise, harnessing cutting-edge technology to meet the needs of today and tomorrow.
With over 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Zealmax Ortho has emerged as a leading innovator and exporter of orthopedic implant screws. Our manufacturing facility spans 7,000 square meters, where we employ a combination of robotic processes to craft over 100,000 screws each month. We dedicate an additional 10,000 square feet area to meticulous quality checks, ensuring unwavering perfection.
Automated Manufacturing Processes
Our production relies on a sophisticated array of automated machinery to deliver precision and speed. Utilizing VMC & CNC machines, we achieve unparalleled levels of automation. These machines are akin to a series of expert robots, executing even the most intricate screw designs with remarkable accuracy. Our Sliding Head Machinery performs machining operations with exceptional precision, guaranteeing the quality of each screw.
On our operational floor, you’ll find a range of specialized machines dedicated to crafting orthopedic implant screws. The Preci Hole Gun drill Machine, Laser Machine, Electro Polishing Machine, Ultrasonic Cleaning Machine, and Polishing Machine collectively ensure that every screw attains its perfect shape and finish.
Nonetheless, our commitment to excellence extends beyond technology. At Zealmax Ortho, our people are at the heart of our operation. Our dedicated team of 85 professionals passionately oversees the entire process, from selecting the finest raw materials to monitoring production, and finally, to packing, shipping, and delivery. With Zealmax Ortho, you can trust in the quality and precision of every orthopedic screw we produce.
Conclusion
Our commitment to superior quality and adherence to international standards extends to our orthopedic implants screws. At Zealmax Ortho, we combine state-of-the-art technology with the finest raw materials sourced from trusted suppliers.
Our dedication to continual improvement and innovation is a cornerstone of our operations, driven by our extensive exporting experience to over 70 countries. This approach has enabled us to establish a system that simplifies and streamlines the buying experience, saving time and ensuring a seamless process for our customers.
