Opening of our Freiburg location

From January 1st, 2022 we have established an additional location in the beautiful Black Forest in the south of Germany. Dr Axel Becker, specialising in orthopaedics & trauma surgery and specialist in plastic, aesthetic & reconstructive surgery, is the new head of this location. As of now, our loft-style premises at Kaiserstuhlstraße 28 in Freiburg can be used for consultations, informational talks and aftercare appointments. The operations and the inpatient stay take place in a very comfortable and perfectly coordinated private clinic in Freiburg. For years, Dr. Becker and Professor Betz have formed the operational team that carries out the leg lengthening procedure using Betzbone and makes the patient's dream of “one day being taller" come true.

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“Precise” – Corrosion

Gahh started a review of the Danish colleagues, who explanted 23 "Precise Stryde" - extension nails routinely, or because of severe side effects. During the explantation, the colleagues at the Alborg University Hospital noticed, among other things, that a brown liquid was seeping out at the connection area of the telescopic rod, which in turn indicated that the seals had failed. Four of the 23 removed nails were broken or broke during removal. Twenty of the 23 nails removed showed visible signs of corrosion.

In contrast to implants made of Biodur 108 stainless steel, such as the Stryde nail mentioned above, implants made of chrome-cobalt alloys, such as the new Betzbone, do not have the problem of massive corrosion. Another very important point must also be raised; the seals that were supposed to separate the inner workings of the nail didn't stay in place. Biological material was found in the nail which also led to massive corrosion there. The Betzbone also elegantly circumvents this problem by not using any seals. The interior of the Betzbone consists of the same chrome-cobalt alloy as the entire nail. The entry of biological material is not only easily tolerable, but also desirable. With the entry of fluids, a pressure difference is prevented that can lead to massive pain (e.g. when flying).

If you have any detailed questions about the different systems or the material used, we are gladly at your disposal.

Your team from the Betz Becker Institute

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Focal osteolysis and corrosion at the junction of Precice Stryde

Focal osteolysis and corrosion at the junction of Precice Stryde intramedullary lengthening device

The working group of Mr. A. Frommer from the University of Münster examined 24 explanted intramedullary lengthening nails of the Precice Stryde version.

The colleagues were able to make the following core statements:

• 83% of the explanted nails showed clinical signs of corrosion.
• In 40% of the patients, the bone tissue was degraded due to the corrosion of the implant.
• Patients who received the above mentioned osteogenesis intramedullary nail are at risk of "implant-associated bone loss" with as yet unclear short-term and long-term clinical consequences.

Bone Joint Res 2021;10(7):425–436

Corrosion of an implant is a serious complication that can lead to an inflammatory reaction of the bone tissue and furthermore to bone loss. Once the inflammatory process has started, all that remains is to remove the implant and clean the marrow cavities. This extensive problem is all the more likely when more components are installed that have to be separated from each other because seals in the body are not permanently stable.

By modelling the Betzbone with a chrome-cobalt alloy and with the open biocompatible design, the problem of corrosion or bone loss associated with the implant was absolutely minimised. With more than 1000 installed Betzbone intramedullary lengthening nails of the latest generation, none of the above complications have so far occurred.

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