Foot Implants: PEEK Devices for Foot & Ankle Applications

Biocompatible materials that can address key requirements of numerous hand and foot applications

Foot & Ankle

Overview

A Non-Metal Alternative for Extremity Applications

PEEK-based devices for hand and foot applications are experiencing an increase in adoption, with growing clinical evidence demonstrating the benefits PEEK can offer. Cannulated implants for proximal interphalangeal fusions, and wedges for osteotomies offer some examples where PEEK-OPTIMA^TM polymers can drive superior performance.

Brochure

A metal-free solution for extremity applications

As an alternative to metal, PEEK-OPTIMA polymers offer bone ongrowth and strength demanded by high-load implant applications

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Discover the benefits of PEEK-OPTIMA Ultra Reinforced carbon fiber composite polymer in 90 seconds

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Expert opinion

Can Extremities Plates Be Made Thinner, and Still Maintain their Strength?

Biomechanical study results demonstrate the potential for thinner extremities plates with PEEK-OPTIMA Ultra-Reinforced polymer

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Expert opinion

Increasing Adoption of PEEK-based Devices for Hand and Foot Applications

Read about the various hand, foot and ankle applications being made from PEEK-OPTIMA polymers

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Applications

Delivering solutions for hand, foot & ankle applications

Pre-contoured anatomic plates

Both unfilled PEEK and carbon fiber reinforced PEEK materials have been successfully used in plating applications for the hand and foot.

Demonstrated benefits include:

Bioinert and biocompatible with modulus of elasticity close to cortical bone
Radiolucency allowing for a more accurate assessment of fusion¹
Improved patient satisfaction²

Learn more about POLYMEr composites

Hammertoe

PEEK-based intramedullary devices can provide similar advantages as metallic designs with potential additional benefits:

the radiolucency of the material can enable an easier assessment of fusion
the modulus of elasticity is very similar to bone, so there is minimal stress shielding at the arthrodesis site reducing risk factors that could disrupt normal bone healing⁵
PEEK-based devices can simplify removal because it can be easier to saw than metals
potential advantage in maintenance of correction because there is no risk of resorption of the graft material⁸
Improved level of direct bone contact in as early as 4 weeks³
New bone formation as early as 6 weeks⁴

Image: Vector™ Hammertoe Correction System manufactured from PEEK-OPTIMA™ HA Enhanced, courtesy of Nvision Biomedical Technologies, Inc.™

Wedge osteotomy devices

Studies on implanted PEEK spacers for osteotomies in the foot demonstrate high fusion rates and conclude that PEEK offers:

an effective alternative to structural bone grafts^6,7
potential advantage in maintenance of correction because there is no risk of resorption of the graft material⁸
spacers can be designed as wedges to be used with ancillary fixation or as stand-alone devices with integrated screws
Improved level of direct bone contact in as early as 4 weeks³
New bone formation as early as 6 weeks⁴

Image: The Trigon® Stand–Alone Wedge Fixation System, courtesy of Nvision Biomedical Technologies, Inc.™ Read more about it here

Resources

Featured resources

The Trigon® Stand-Alone Osteotomy Wedge Fixation System

press release

First FDA clearance for an osteotomy wedge system made of PEEK-OPTIMA™ HA Enhanced

First foot and ankle implant made of PEEK OPTIMA HA Enhanced

press release

US FDA clears first foot and ankle implant made from PEEK-OPTIMA™ HA Enhanced

Peer reviewed case report

Unique Applications of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polyetheretherketone Nails in Tibia and Ankle Injuries

Read case report in JOT

Peer reviewed evidence

Hammertoes: Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Arthrodesis with a PEEK Implant

Read now

References

1.Rhee PC, Shin AY. The rate of successful four-corner arthrodesis with a locking, dorsal circular polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK-Optima) plate. J Hand Surg Eur. Vol. 2013 Sep;38(7):767-73.
2. Harmer JL, et al. A Midterm Review of Lesser Toe Arthrodesis With an Intramedullary Implant. Foot Ankle Spec. 2017 Oct;10(5):458-464.
3. Walsh WR, et al. Does PEEK/HA Enhance Bone Formation Compared With PEEK in a Sheep Cervical Fusion Model? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2016 Nov; 474(11): 2364–2372.
4. Study evaluated the in vivo response to PEEK-OPTIMA™ Natural, PEEK-OPTIMA™ HA Enhanced and allograft in a cervical spine fusion model in sheep. Data on file at Invibio. This data has not been correlated with human clinical experience.
5. Cook JJ, Cook EA. (2019). Proximal Interphalangeal Joint (PIPJ) Arthrodesis with a Poly-etheretherketone (PEEK) Implant. In: Cook E, Cook J (eds) Hammertoes.
Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16552-3_11
6. Gomez DN, Eslava S, Federico A, et al. Use of Poly(Ether Ether Ketone) cages in foot and ankle surgery. Foot Ankle Clin. 2012 Sep; 17(3): 449-57.
7. Zaghloul KM, Saied AM, Abouelnas BA, et al. Can polyaryletherketone cage be used to achieve union and maintain correction in anterior calcaneal lengthening
osteotomy for treatment of flexible flatfoot? J Pediatr Orthop B. 2019 Nov;28(6):598-601.
8. Pearson KT. Clinical Case Highlight: Tarsa-Link™ Stand-Alone Wedge Fixation System for flatfoot deformity repair – Evans osteotomy. http://www.
centricmedical.com/tarsalink-case-study-1. Accessed May 28, 2020.
9. 1. https://www.nextremity.com/new-research-indicates-up-to-60-million-americans-suffer-from-hammertoe-foot-deformities/. Accessed May 26, 2020

Trigon® Stand–Alone Wedge Fixation System for Cotton Osteotomies, image courtesy of Nvision Biomedical Technologies, Inc.™. Trigon® is a registered trademark of Nvision Biomedical Technologies, Inc.™
Vector™ Hammertoe Correction System manufactured from PEEK-OPTIMA™ HA Enhanced image courtesy of Nvision Biomedical Technologies, Inc.™ Vector® is a registered trademark of Nvision Biomedical Technologies, Inc.™