Biointegrative Fixation for Foot & Ankle Surgery
What Is Biointegrative Fixation?
Biointegrative fixation is the next generation of surgical hardware for foot and ankle procedures. Unlike traditional metal screws and plates that remain permanently in the body (or require a second surgery for removal), biointegrative implants are designed to gradually become part of your own bone. That doesn’t mean it is better, it means it is a different technology with pluses and minuses.
These implants are made from biocomposite materials, typically a combination of materials like hydroxyapatite (a mineral found in your bone) and a bioabsorbable polymer. Over time, the implant integrates with surrounding bone tissue and is replaced by your body’s own natural bone.
How Is This Different From Traditional Metal Hardware?
Traditional Metal Biointegrative Materials are made from Titanium or stainless steel. This means they stay behind forever. Once the bone is healed, you don’t need them anymore, so it can be removed. Biocomposite material stay in your body permanently. Gradually overtime, this is replaced by natural bone without the need for removal. Removal of hardware requires surgery Having metal in your body can have unintended consequences including the possiblity of not having an MRI. CT scans can shoeinterference or what is called an artifac.
What Procedures Use Biointegrative Fixation?
At WeTreatFeet Podiatry, biointegrative fixation can be used in:
- Bunion correction (osteotomy fixation) – securing bone cuts during realignment
- Hammertoe surgery – stabilizing corrected toe joints
- Fracture repair – supporting bone healing in metatarsal and ankle fractures
- Ligament and tendon reattachment – anchoring soft tissue repairs
- Flatfoot reconstruction – securing osteotomies and fusions
- Arthrodesis (joint fusion) – in select cases where bone integration is preferred
Who Is a Candidate?
Biointegrative fixation may be right for you if:
You need foot or ankle surgery involving screws, pins, or plates
You want to avoid a second surgery for hardware removal
You have metal sensitivity or allergiesYou need regular MRI monitoring (e.g., for other health conditions)
You prefer a solution that works with your body’s natural healing process
Your WeTreatFeet surgeon will evaluate your specific condition, bone quality, and surgical needs to determine if biointegrative fixation is appropriate for your procedure.
What to Expect
- Before surgery: Standard pre-operative evaluation, imaging, and discussion of fixation options
- During surgery: Biointegrative implants are placed using the same surgical techniques as traditional hardware, no additional incisions or longer surgery time
- After surgery: Normal recovery protocols apply. The implant begins integrating with bone immediately. Over 12-24 months, it is progressively replaced by your own bone tissue.
- Follow-up imaging: Post-operative X-rays and CT scans show clearer results without metal artifact
Not always right for everyone!
Biofixation has issues that can’t be ignored. For starters, you are placing material in bone that will be reactive. In order to incorporate this material, you body will first break it down, absorb it, and fill in with bone. If you have a bone disease, or an immune issue, this could be dangerous. It can cause avascular necrosis (AVN, or bone dealth) locally leading to serious complications. Not every procedure works with an absorbable product.
Why WeTreatFeet?
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