Selecting the right surgical screws is crucial for successful orthopedic, dental, and trauma surgeries. With various types of screws available—such as cortex bone screws, cancellous screws, and locking screws—understanding their differences, applications, and key selection criteria is essential for surgeons and medical procurement professionals. This guide provides an in-depth look at surgical screw options to help you make informed purchasing decisions.
What Are Cortex Bone Screws?
Cortex bone screws are designed for use in dense cortical bone, typically found in the diaphyseal (shaft) regions of long bones such as the femur, tibia, and humerus. These screws have:
Smaller thread height and finer pitch, which allows for tight engagement with hard bone
Fully threaded design, enabling uniform compression along the screw’s length
Applications in plate fixation, especially with locking or dynamic compression plates
Cortex screws are ideal for diaphyseal fractures, osteotomies, and compression plating procedures where firm fixation is required without compromising the bone structure.
Types of Surgical Screws and Their Applications
1. Cortex Bone Screws
Cortex screws are designed for dense cortical bone and are commonly used in fracture fixation and orthopedic reconstructions. They feature fine threads and a sharp tip for precise insertion. These screws provide strong holding power in hard bone and are often used with plates for stabilization.
Key Features:
Fully or partially threaded options
Made from stainless steel or titanium
Used in diaphyseal fractures and plate fixation
2. Cancellous Bone Screws
Cancellous screws have a coarser thread design, making them ideal for softer, spongy bone found in metaphyseal regions. They are frequently used in ankle, knee, and pelvic surgeries.
Key Features:
Larger thread pitch for better grip in trabecular bone
Often self-tapping for easier insertion
Available in partially threaded versions for compression
3. Locking Screws
Locking screws work with locking plates, creating a fixed-angle construct that enhances stability in osteoporotic bone or complex fractures. Unlike traditional screws, they lock into the plate, reducing the risk of loosening.
Key Features:
Threads engage both bone and plate
Ideal for unstable fractures and poor bone quality
Minimizes soft tissue irritation
4. Self-Tapping vs. Self-Drilling Screws
Self-tapping screws cut their threads but require a pre-drilled pilot hole.
Self-drilling screws eliminate the need for a separate drill step, saving time in certain procedures.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Surgical Screws
1. Material (Stainless Steel vs. Titanium)
Stainless Steel: High strength, cost-effective, but may cause imaging artifacts in MRI.
Titanium: Biocompatible, lightweight, MRI-compatible, but more expensive.
2. Thread Design and Pitch
Fine threads (cortex screws) for dense bone.
Coarse threads (cancellous screws) for soft bone.
3. Head Type
Hexagonal, Phillips, or star-drive heads for different driver compatibility.
Low-profile heads to reduce soft tissue irritation.
4. Sterility and Packaging
Pre-sterilized screws with single-use packaging ensure safety and convenience.
Precision-Engineered Bone Screws from a Trusted Chinese Manufacturer
At Jiangsu Shuangyang Medical Instrument Co., Ltd., we have developed a deep specialization in orthopedic bone screw production, making us one of China's most reliable manufacturers in this field. Our bone screw product line covers a wide range of applications, including:
Cortex bone screws – precisely threaded for dense cortical bone fixation
Cancellous bone screws – optimized for spongy bone in metaphyseal regions
Locking screws – designed for angular stability in complex fractures or osteoporotic bone
Cannulated screws – ideal for minimally invasive surgery and precise guide wire placement
Headless compression screws – for small fragment or joint-related fixation
What sets Shuangyang apart is our combination of manufacturing precision, clinical insight, and customization flexibility. All our bone screws are produced using high-speed CNC machining centers with tolerances tightly controlled to ensure thread uniformity and biomechanical performance. We strictly select medical-grade titanium (Ti6Al4V), ensuring biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and durability in the surgical environment.
Each screw undergoes comprehensive quality testing, including dimensional checks, mechanical strength evaluation, and surface treatment inspection. Our production facility is ISO 13485 certified and complies with CE standards, with many of our models already used in surgical systems around the world.
In addition to standard models, we offer custom screw design services, tailored to your local surgical protocols or implant system compatibility. Whether it’s adjusting the thread pitch for better bone purchase or modifying the screw head for compatibility with your proprietary plates, our experienced R&D team can support rapid prototyping and OEM/ODM integration.
Trusted by international distributors, hospitals, and OEM partners, Shuangyang delivers cost-effective, high-performance bone screw solutions that meet the evolving demands of orthopedic trauma care.
Post time: Jul-07-2025