Skip to main content
OrthoVellum
Knowledge Hub

Study

  • Topics
  • MCQs
  • ISAWE
  • Operative Surgery
  • Flashcards

Company

  • About Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Blog

Legal

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Copyright & DMCA
  • Refund Policy

Support

  • Help Center
  • Accessibility
  • Report an Issue
OrthoVellum

Ā© 2026 OrthoVellum. For educational purposes only.

Not affiliated with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Basic Science
intermediate
X-Type

Orthopaedic Biomaterials

Implant Science

A 45-year-old man undergoes intramedullary nailing for a tibial shaft fracture. The surgeon is discussing implant options with residents, noting the different properties of titanium versus stainless steel nails. Post-operatively, the patient asks whether his implant will set off metal detectors at airports. Regarding orthopaedic biomaterials:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

Stainless steel (316L) has high strength and lower cost but higher modulus of elasticity (approximat...

B

Titanium alloys (Ti-6Al-4V most common) have lower modulus (approximately 110 GPa) closer to bone (a...

C

Titanium has a higher modulus of elasticity than stainless steel; cobalt chrome has the lowest modul...

D

Cobalt-chrome alloys have highest strength and fatigue resistance, making them ideal for articulatin...

E

Stress shielding occurs when rigid implants bear load instead of bone, leading to bone resorption (W...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option