Catastrophic Failure of a Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polyetheretherketone Tibial Intramedullary Nail

Case: We present a case of a rare low-energy catastrophic failure of a carbon-fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone tibial intramedullary nail at 10 weeks after placement in a 36-year-old man. We describe our experience with extraction of the device. Conclusion: Carbon-fiber composite implants are approved for clinical use in orthopaedic trauma applications. The rare failure of carbon-fiber implants presents unique challenges because typical extraction techniques cannot be used. With the patient described herein, a terminally threaded guidewire was used to cannulate and extract the distal segment of the nail.