Objectives. This study tests the biomechanical properties of adjacent locked
plate constructs in a femur model using Sawbones. Previous studies
have described biomechanical behaviour related to inter-device distances.
We hypothesise that a smaller lateral inter-plate distance will
result in a biomechanically stronger construct, and that addition
of an anterior plate will increase the overall strength of the construct. Methods. Sawbones were plated laterally with two large-fragment locking
compression plates with inter-plate distances of 10 mm or 1 mm.
Small-fragment
Introduction. In recent years, there has been a growing interest, in many fields of medicine, in the use of bone adhesives that are biodegraded to non-toxic products and resorbed after fulfilling their function in contact with living tissue. Biomechanical properties of newly developed bone glue, such as adhesion to bone and elastic modulus were tested in our study. Material and methods. Newly developed injectable biodegradable “self-setting” bone adhesive prepared from inorganic tricalcium phosphate powder and aqueous solution of organic thermogelling polymers was used for ex-vivo fixing fractured pig femur. Ex-vivo biomechanical tests were performed on 45 fresh pig femurs. Control group consist of 10 healthy bones, tested group was created by 35 bones with artificial fractures in diaphysis – oblique (O) and bending wedge (BW) type of fracture. Tested group were divided to following 4 subgroups (sg); sg1 – O fracture (n=15) glued together with 3 different type of bone adhesives, sg2 BW fracture (n=5) glued together with bone adhesive (n=5); sg3 – BW fracture fixed with
Background. Bothlimited-contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) and
Introduction. The treatment of distal femoral fractures has undergone several changes during the past century, from non-operative techniques to more recently minimally-invasive internal fixation. The Less Invasive Stabilisation System (LISS) is an internal fixation plate that combines closed fixation of the distal femur using an anatomically pre-contoured plate with locked unicortical screws. Study aim. The purpose of this multicentre study was to review the use of the LISS plate in three regional centres with respect to fracture healing between different severities of fractures. Materials and methods. Patients treated with a LISS plate for a distal femoral fracture (AO/OTA Type 33A1 to 33C3) between 1st January 2004 and 1st June 2008 were recruited. Demographic data plus mechanism of injury, type of fracture, injury severity scores (ISS) and complications were documented. Subgroup statistical analysis using SPSS for Windows v. 17 was conducted to determine differences in the mean ISS, operating time, length of hospitalisation and ultimately, the time taken for union between groups of different fracture severities (Type 33A vs. Type 33C fractures). A P value of less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results. Across the 3 regional centres, a total of 88 patients presented with a distal femoral fracture, of which 44 were treated with a LISS plate. The mean age of the patients was 66.1 (range 9 - 99), with 15 males and 29 females. There were 14 Type 33A1, 13 Type 33A2, 6 Type 33A3, 1 Type 33B2, 1 Type 33C1, 5 Type 33C2 and 4 Type 33C3 fractures. Union was achieved within an average of 14.7 weeks (range 8 - 25) in 33 cases. Five cases exhibited non-union and were managed by a retrograde nail or another
We have investigated the anatomy of the proximal part of the ulna to assess its influence on the use of plates in the management of fractures at this site. We examined 54 specimens from cadavers. The mean varus angulation in the proximal third was 17.5° (11° to 23°) and the mean anterior deviation 4.5° (1° to 14°). These variations must be considered when applying plates to the dorsal surface of the ulna for Monteggia-type fractures. A pre-operative radiograph of the contralateral elbow may also be of value.
