No metal left behind: OSSIOfiber® becomes your bone as you heal
What is OSSIOfiber Metal-Free Surgical Hardware?
Foot and ankle surgery has undergone significant evolution over the past 20 years. Dr. Baravarian has updated his techniques, improved his tools, and significantly reduced recovery times.
One thing he has not been able to change is the metal materials he must use to fixate the bone during the healing process. Metal has been a staple of my entire career and is considered the “gold standard.” That is until now.
Metal-free holistic foot and ankle surgery is now a reality
Dr. Baravarian is at the forefront of foot and ankle surgery, utilizing the revolutionary non-metal fixation option for these procedures.
Metal surgical hardware is used in virtually every orthopedic correction surgery. A major patient concern about metal being left in the body is related to pain from the metal hardware itself or the metal prominence on top of or going through the bone. Additionally, patients sometimes report discomfort from the metal during cold weather exposure, making winter sports, such as walking the dog in the snow, a lot less enjoyable.
For some patients, the metal hardware is not tolerated and may need to be removed. Research has shown that up to 15% of people require the hardware to be removed within the first year after surgery.1 Unfortunately, this means more surgery, more downtime, more lost wages, and additional costs.
With the use of OSSIOfiber in Dr. Bob’s bunion surgeries, all of these concerns are a thing of the past.
How does OSSIOfiber work?
OSSIOfiber is a material that the human body does not “see” as a foreign substance. OSSIOfiber’s materials are naturally found in the body, which is why they don’t cause an adverse reaction. The OSSIOfiber fixation “screw” is placed into the bone and does not protrude in any way, as most metal screws do. Patients no longer need to worry about screws sticking out from the bone and the discomfort it can cause.
OSSIOfiber material begins with a strength approximately three times that of human bone. Then, over the next two years, something amazing happens. The foreign OSSIOfiber material is gradually replaced with new bone naturally created by the body.
Because the OSSIOfiber integrates completely into the bone, the need to remove metal surgical hardware is also a thing of the past, as is leaving metal in the body. This can cause a reaction or irritation, potentially triggering a second surgery to remove the metal.
OSSIOfiber has also helped reduce patients’ recovery time because the material becomes increasingly “sticky,” making the fixation even stronger than metal hardware, thereby adding extra strength and support to the bunion cut. This allows for a faster recovery and quicker return to regular shoes.
“Amazing” is the best word Dr. Bob’s patients use to describe it.
Dr. Baravarian is the national leader in metal-free minimally invasive bunion surgery.
OSSIOfiber is a revolutionary material used in foot and ankle surgery, currently employed for specific procedures, including bunion surgery. In the coming year, Ossiofiber surgical fixation devices will be available for virtually all types of foot and ankle surgery.
Is metal-free surgery right for you?
Metal-free fixation is available for many of the foot and ankle procedures Dr. Bob performs most often, including bunion correction, hammertoe repair, and certain fractures and fusions. You may be a strong candidate if:
- You want to avoid a second surgery to remove hardware
- You’re concerned about having metal permanently in your body
- You’re active and don’t want hardware you can feel
- You’ve had problems with metal hardware in a previous surgery
Metal is still the better choice for some procedures, particularly complex reconstructions that need plates or implant types OSSIOfiber doesn’t yet offer. During your consultation, Dr. Bob will explain which option fits your procedure and why.
Choosing metal-free hardware doesn’t change your recovery timeline. That’s set by the procedure itself and how your bone heals. The main advantage comes later: once you’ve healed, there’s no hardware left to cause problems or require removal.
Why choose Dr. Baravarian for state-of-the-art foot and ankle care?
Dr. Bob Baravarian was among the first surgeons in the United States to use OSSIOfiber and has been involved in its clinical research since the technology received FDA clearance in 2019. He teaches his metal-free Lapidus bunion technique to other surgeons and has discussed bio-integrative fixation on the Podiatry Today podcast. That depth of experience matters: like any surgical technique, metal-free fixation delivers the best results in the hands of a surgeon who uses it routinely.
Dr. Bob often combines metal-free fixation with minimally invasive techniques, using smaller incisions to correct the problem and OSSIOfiber to hold it in place. For bunions, he offers several metal-free options, including Bunionplasty® and the Ghost No-Metal Bunionectomy. The goal is less disruption during surgery and nothing left behind afterward.
If you’re experiencing foot pain or any other foot problems, Dr. Bob is here to help. He is a nationally recognized foot and ankle doctor who offers the most advanced foot care and the highest success rates in the nation. He is a leader in the research and treatment of all foot and ankle conditions.
For more information or to schedule a consultation in the greater Los Angeles area, please call (855) 557-5400 or make an appointment now.
Dr. Bob Baravarian is conveniently located in Los Angeles, near Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, providing expert foot and ankle care for patients throughout Southern California.
OSSIOfiber metal-free FAQs
What is metal-free foot surgery?
Metal-free foot surgery uses implants that don’t contain metal to hold bone in place while it heals. Dr. Bob uses OSSIOfiber® implants, which are gradually replaced by your own bone over about 18 to 24 months, so no permanent hardware remains.
Is OSSIOfiber as strong as metal?
OSSIOfiber is strong enough to hold bone securely during healing and is stronger than cortical bone. It isn’t as stiff as metal, and that’s by design: its stiffness is closer to natural bone’s. Like metal fixation, it’s used with appropriate bracing or immobilization while you heal.
Will I recover faster with metal-free hardware?
Not necessarily. Your recovery depends mainly on the procedure and how your bone heals, not on the implant. The biggest difference comes after you’ve healed: there’s no hardware left that could cause pain or need a second surgery to remove.
Will my implant ever need to be removed?
No. OSSIOfiber implants are gradually replaced by your own bone, so there’s nothing to remove. With metal hardware, some patients need a second surgery to take it out.
Which foot and ankle procedures can be done without metal?
OSSIOfiber implants are FDA-cleared for many foot and ankle procedures, including bunion correction, hammertoe repair, fusions, and certain fractures. Some complex reconstructions still require metal. Dr. Bob will tell you whether a metal-free approach is possible for your procedure.
How do I choose a surgeon for metal-free foot surgery?
Look for a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon who uses metal-free fixation routinely, not occasionally, and who offers both metal and metal-free options, so the recommendation is based on your needs. Experience with minimally invasive techniques is also worth asking about. Dr. Bob Baravarian has used OSSIOfiber since it became available in the U.S. and performs metal-free procedures regularly.
Is metal-free surgery covered by insurance?
OSSIOfiber implants are used with standard surgical techniques and billing codes, so coverage generally follows the procedure itself. Our team will review your insurance benefits before surgery.
Sources
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Peterson K, McAlister J, Hyer C, Thompson J. Symptomatic Hardware Removal After First Tarsometatarsal Arthrodesis.
The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery 55; 1: 55-59 (2016) -
OSSIO receives FDA 510(k) clearance for OSSIOfiber® Bone Pin product family. OSSIO. Accessed September 29, 2026. https://ossio.io/ossio-receives-fda-510k-clearance-for-ossiofiber-bone-pin-product-family/
