Segmental induction heating of orthopaedic metal implants.

Non-contact induction heating of metal implants is a new and emerging treatment for prosthetic joint infection (PJI). However, there is a risk of tissue necrosis with current induction heating delivery systems. This study investigated whether segmental induction heating can be used to control the thermal dose and to limit collateral thermal injury. Infrared imaging was used to estimate the thermal dose for different metal implants (hip stem, intramedullary nail, and locking compression plate (LCP)) at various distances from the heating centre (HC).