Optimizing Fracture Care in Children Using Biodegradable Magnesium Screws: Healing and Complications During Fixation With Magnesium Screws – A Retrospective Pilot Study

Fractures in childhood are quite common. Approximately 15-45% of children experience a fracture during their growth phase. Fortunately, only a few require osteosynthesis. This typically represents a stressful situation for the family, as surgery and especially removal of osteosynthesis material is associated with complications and high costs. Therefore, resorbable osteosynthesis materials are gaining increasing attention. Due to their beneficial material properties, magnesium screws (ZX00) are increasingly used in the pediatric population. The aim of this study was to evaluate fracture healing and complications in fractures treated with magnesium screws and to compare them with those treated using conventional screws. Retrospective analysis of fractures treated with magnesium screws versus conventional osteosynthesis in a 1:2 matched-pairs design. For this purpose, the RemeOs screw (Bioretec) was used to treat epi-metaphyseal fractures of the long bones as well as fractures of one or more bones of the hand or foot. Radiological consolidation, range of motion (ROM), and complications were evaluated over the same follow-up period as patients treated with conventional screws. To date, seven patients have been treated with magnesium screws. All patients show timely consolidation and symmetrical mobility compared to the control group. No complications have occurred so far. At present, the available data are insufficient for a representative analysis. However, the preliminary results are encouraging. This pilot study shows that magnesium screws could optimize pediatric fracture treatment. Initial results are promising, as radiological and clinical fracture consolidation was observed in all patients. Therefore, hardware removal is no longer necessary. However, the effects of these screws on cartilage and the growing skeleton in different fracture types (e.g. radial condyle fractures) require careful evaluation in long-term follow-up studies.