Hip fractures constitute the most debilitating complication of osteoporosis with a steadily increasing incidence in an aging population. Intramedullary nailing of osteoporotic proximal femoral fractures can be challenging because of poor implant anchorage in the femoral head. Recently, cement augmentation of PFNA blades with Polymethylmethycrylate (PMMA) has shown promising results by enhancing the cutout resistance in proximal femoral fractures. The aim of this biomechanical study was to assess the impact of cement augmentation on the fixation strength of TFNA blades and screws within the femoral head, and compare its effect with head elements placed in a center or antero–posterior off–center positions. Eight groups were formed out of 96 polyurethane foam specimens with low density, simulating isolated femoral heads with severe osteoporotic bone. The specimens in each group were implanted with either non–augmented or PMMA–augmented TFNA blades or screws in a center or antero–posterior off–center position, 7 mm anterior or 7 mm posterior. They were mechanically tested in a setup simulating an unstable pertrochanteric fracture with lack of postero–medial support and load sharing at the fracture gap. All specimens underwent progressively increasing cyclic loading until catastrophic construct failure. Varus–valgus and head rotation angles were monitored by an inclinometer mounted on the head. A varus collapse of 5° or a 10° head rotation were defined as the clinically relevant failure criterion. Load at failure for specimens with augmented TFNA head elements (screw center: 3799 N ± 326 (mean ± SD); blade center: 3228 N ± 478; screw off–center: 2680 N ± 182; blade off–center: 2591 N ± 244) was significantly higher compared to the respective non–augmented specimens (blade center: 1489 N ± 41; screw center: 1593 N ± 120; blade off–center: 1018 N ± 48; screw off–center: 515 N ± 73), p<0.001. In both non–augmented and augmented specimens, the failure load in center position was significantly higher compared to the respective off–center position, regardless of head element, p<0.001. Non–augmented TFNA blades in off–center position revealed significantly higher load at failure versus non–augmented screws in off–center position, p<0.001. Cement augmentation clearly enhances fixation stability of TFNA blades and screws. Non–augmented blades outperformed screws in antero–posterior off–center position. Positioning of TFNA blades in the femoral head is more forgiving than TFNA screws in terms of failure load. Augmentation with TFNA has not been approved by FDA

INTRODUCTION

Over 85% of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have bone disease, mostly affecting thoraco-lumbar vertebrae. Vertebral fractures can lead to pain and large spinal deformities requiring application of vertebroplasty (PVP). PVP could be enhanced by use of Coblation technique to remove lesions from compromised MM vertebrae prior to cement injection (C-PVP).

Introduction and Objective. Trochanteric fractures are associated with increasing incidence and represent serious adverse effect of osteoporosis. Their cephalomedullary nailing in poor bone stock can be challenging and associated with insufficient implant fixation in the femoral head. Despite ongoing implant improvements, the rate of mechanical complications in the treatment of unstable trochanteric fractures is high. Recently, two novel concepts for nailing with use of a helical blade – with or without bone cement augmentation – or an interlocking screw have demonstrated advantages as compared with single screw systems regarding rotational stability and cut-out resistance. However, these two concepts have not been subjected to direct biomechanical comparison so far. The aims of this study were to investigate in a human cadaveric model with low bone density (1) the biomechanical competence of cephalomedullary nailing with use of a helical blade versus an interlocking screw, and (2) the effect of cement augmentation on the fixation strength of the helical blade. Materials and Methods. Twelve osteoporotic and osteopenic femoral pairs were assigned for pairwise implantation using either short TFN-ADVANCED Proximal Femoral Nailing System (TFNA) with a helical blade head element, offering the option for cement augmentation, or short TRIGEN INTERTAN Intertrochanteric Antegrade Nail (InterTAN) with an interlocking screw. Six osteoporotic femora, implanted with TFNA, were augmented with 3 ml cement. Four study groups were created – group 1 (TFNA) paired with group 2 (InterTAN), and group 3 (TFNA augmented) paired with group 4 (InterTAN). An unstable pertrochanteric OTA/AO 31-A2.2 fracture was simulated. All specimens were biomechanically tested until failure under progressively increasing cyclic loading featuring physiologic loading trajectory, with monitoring via motion tracking. Results. T-score in groups 3 and 4 was significantly lower compared with groups 1 and 2, p=0.03. Stiffness (N/mm) in groups 1 to 4 was 335.7+/−65.3, 326.9+/−62.2, 371.5+/−63.8 and 301.6+/−85.9, being significantly different between groups 3 and 4, p=0.03. Varus (°) and femoral head rotation around neck axis (°) after 10,000 cycles were 1.9+/−0.9 and 0.3+/−0.2 in group 1, 2.2+/−0.7 and 0.7+/−0.4 in group 2, 1.5+/−1.3 and 0.3+/−0.2 in group 3, and 3.5+/−2.8 and 0.9+/−0.6 in group 4, both with significant difference between groups 3 and 4, p<=0.04. Cycles to failure and failure load (N) at 5° varus in groups 1 to 4 were 21428+/−6020 and 1571.4+/−301.0, 20611+/−7453 and 1530.6+/−372.7,21739+/−4248 and 1587.0+/−212.4, and 18622+/−6733 and 1431.1+/−336.7, both significantly different between groups 3 and 4, p=0.04. Conclusions. From a biomechanical perspective, cephalomedullary nailing of trochanteric fractures with use of helical blades is comparable to interlocking screw fixation in femoral head fragments with low bone density. Moreover, bone cement augmentation of helical blades considerably improves their fixation strength in poor bone quality

Femoroplasty is the process of injecting cement (cement augmentation) into the proximal femur to prevent osteoporotic hip fractures. Femoroplasty increases the strength and energy to failure of the femur and can be performed in a minimally-invasively manner with lower hospitalization costs and reduced recovery. Our hypothesis was that efficient cement augmentation strategies can be identified via computational optimization. Therefore, using patient-specific planning we can minimize cement volume while increasing bone strength and reducing the risk of fracture. We proposed an in-silico methodology that was validated with in vitro experiments. A discrete particle model for cement infiltration was used to determine the optimum volume and filling pattern of the cement such that the best outcome was achieved. Several artificial bones were scanned before and after cement augmentation to applied previous in silico methodology. Then those femurs were mechanically tested (non-augmented and augmented). Therefore, in silico methodology was validated. Cement augmentation significantly increased the yield load. Predicted yield loads correlated well with the experiments. Results suggest that patient-specific planning of femoroplasty reduces the risk of hip fracture while minimizing the amount of cement required

Intramedullary nails (IMNs) are the current gold standard for treatment of long bone diaphyseal and selected metaphyseal fractures. Their design has undergone many revisions to improve fixation techniques, conform to the bone shape with appropriate anatomic fit, reduce operative time and radiation exposure, and extend the indication of the same implant for treatment of different fracture types with minimal soft tissue irritation. The IMNs are made or either titanium alloy or stainless steel and work as load-sharing internal splints along the long bone, usually accommodating locking elements – screws and blades, often featuring angular stability and offering different configurations for multiplanar fixation – to secure secondary fracture healing with callus formation in a relative-stability environment. Bone cement augmentation of the locking elements can modulate the construct stiffness, increase the surface area at the bone-implant interface, and prevent cut-through of the locking elements. The functional requirements of IMNs are related to maintaining fracture reduction in terms of length, alignment and rotation to enhance fracture healing. The load distribution during patient's activities is along the entire bone-nail interface, with nail length and anatomic fit being important factors to avoid stress risers

Interbody fusion aims to treat painful disc disease by demobilising the spinal segment through the use of an interbody fusion device (IFD). Diminished contact area at the endplate interface raises the risk of device subsidence, particularly in osteoporosis patients. The aim of the study was to ascertain whether vertebral body (VB) cement augmentation would reduce IFD subsidence following dynamic loading. Twenty-four human two-vertebra motion segments (T6–T11) were implanted with an IFD and distributed into three groups; a control with no cement augmentation; a second with PMMA augmentation; and a third group with calcium phosphate (CP) cement augmentation. Dynamic cyclic compression was applied at 1Hz for 24 hours in a specimen specific manner. Subsidence magnitude was calculated from pre and post-test micro-CT scans. The inferior VB analysis showed significantly increased subsidence in the control group (5.0±3.7mm) over both PMMA (1.6±1.5mm, p=.034) and CP (1.0±1.1mm, p=.010) cohorts. Subsidence in the superior VB to the index level showed no significant differences (control 1.6±3.0mm, PMMA 2.1±1.5mm, CP 2.2±1.2mm, p=.811). In the control group, the majority of subsidence occurred in the lower VB with the upper VB displaying little or no subsidence, which reflects the weaker nature of the superior endplate. Subsidence was significantly reduced in the lower VB when both levels were reinforced regardless of cement type. Both PMMA and CP cement augmentation significantly affected IFD subsidence by increasing VB strength within the motion segment, indicating that this may be a useful method for widening indications for surgical interventions in osteoporotic patients