Osteosynthesis of high-energy metaphyseal proximal tibia fractures is still challenging, especially in patients with severe soft tissue injuries and/or short stature. Although the use of external fixators is the traditional treatment of choice for open comminuted fractures, patients' acceptance is low due to the high profile and therefore the physical burden of the devices. Recently, clinical case reports have shown that supercutaneous locked plating used as definite external fixation could be an efficient alternative. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of implant configuration on stability and interfragmentary motions of unstable proximal tibia fractures fixed by means of externalized locked plating. Based on a right tibia CT scan of a 48 years-old male donor, a finite element model of an unstable proximal tibia fracture was developed to compare the stability of one internal and two different externalized plate fixations. A 2-cm osteotomy gap, located 5 cm distally to the articular surface and replicating an AO/OTA 41-C2.2 fracture, was virtually fixed with a medial stainless steel LISS-DF plate. Three implant configurations (IC) with different plate elevations were modelled and virtually tested biomechanically: IC-1 with 2-mm elevation (internal locked plate fixation), IC-2 with 22-mm elevation (externalized locked plate fixation with thin soft tissue simulation) and IC-3 with 32-mm elevation (externalized locked plate fixation with thick soft tissue simulation). Axial loads of 25 kg (partial weightbearing) and 80 kg (full weightbearing) were applied to the proximal tibia end and distributed at a ratio of 80%/20% on the medial/lateral condyles. A hinge joint was simulated at the distal end of the tibia. Parameters of interest were construct stiffness, as well as interfragmentary motion and longitudinal strain at the most lateral aspect of the fracture. Construct stiffness was 655 N/mm (IC-1), 197 N/mm (IC-2) and 128 N/mm (IC-3). Interfragmentary motions under partial weightbearing were 0.31 mm (IC-1), 1.09 mm (IC-2) and 1.74 mm (IC-3), whereas under full weightbearing they were 0.97 mm (IC-1), 3.50 mm (IC-2) and 5.56 mm (IC-3). The corresponding longitudinal strains at the fracture site under partial weightbearing were 1.55% (IC-1), 5.45% (IC-2) and 8.70% (IC-3). From virtual biomechanics point of view, externalized locked plating of unstable proximal tibia fractures with simulated thin and thick soft tissue environment seems to ensure favorable conditions for callus formation with longitudinal strains at the fracture site not exceeding 10%, thus providing appropriate relative stability for secondary bone healing under partial weightbearing during the early postoperative phase

Introduction:. Mayo 2A Olecranon fractures are traditionally managed with a tension band wire device (TBW) but locking plates may also be used to treat these injuries. Objectives:. To compare clinical outcomes and treatment cost between TBW and locking plate fixation in Mayo 2A fractures. Methods:. All olecranon fractures admitted 2008–2013 were identified (n=129). Patient notes and radiographs were studied. Outcomes were recorded with the QuickDASH (Disabilies of Arm, Shoulder and Hand) score. Incidence of infection, hardware irritation, non-union, fixation failure and re-operation rate were recorded. Results:. 89 patients had Mayo 2A fractures (69%). Of these patients 64 underwent TBW (n=48) or locking plate fixation (n=16). The mean age for both groups were 57 (15–93) and 60 (22–80) respectively. In the TBW group, the final follow-up QuickDASH was 12.9, compared with 15.0 for the Locking plate group. There was no statistically significant difference between either group (p = 0.312). 19 of the 48 TBW patients had complications (48%). There was 1 infection (2%). 15 cases of metalwork irritation (31%). 1 non-union (2%). 2 fixation failures (4%). 14 of the 48 TBW patients had re-operations (29%). There were 13 removal of metalwork procedures (27%), 1 washout (2%) and 2 revision fixations (4%). There were 0 complications and 0 re-operations in the 16 patients who underwent locking plate fixation. This was statistically significant, (p = 0.003) and (p= 0.015) respectively. TBW costs £7.00 verses £244.10 for a locking plate. Theatre costs were equivalent. A 30 minute day surgery removal of metalwork or similar case costs £1420. In this cohort, when costs of re-operation were included, locking plates were on average £177 less per patient. Conclusions:. Locking plates are superior to TBW in terms of incidence of post-operative morbidity and re-operation rate. Financial savings may be made by choosing a more expensive initial implant

Locking plate fixation in proximal humeral fractures has demonstrated good results tempered by a significant rate of loss of fixation. Reported rates of failure are typically around 10% of cases but can be 20% or higher. In addition large series are often made up of a diverse patient population, so we have chosen to focus solely on patients confirmed to have significantly reduced BMD who can be considered a subset at high risk of fixation failure. Twenty-three patients (5 male, 18 female) with a proximal humeral fracture treated by locking plate fixation were confirmed on DEXA scanning to be osteopaenic (17), osteoporotic (4) or severely osteoporotic (2). Patients early in the series were reviewed retrospectively and recalled for an updated assessment where appropriate, and the remainder were followed prospectively. The average age was 66 years (range 49 to 82). Follow up was for an average of nine months following surgery (range 2 and a half to 28 months). 17 patients underwent surgery for acute injuries and 6 for established surgical neck non-unions. Seven injuries were 2-part fractures, 12 3-part, 3 were 4-part and one a 2-part surgical neck non-union.1 plate failed due to complete loss of fixation within 2 months in a patient with severe osteoporosis and was treated with removal of metalwork. This was the only injury that failed to unite. Avascular necrosis occurred in three patients with two revised to a hemiarthroplasty. 1 patient had ongoing pain and underwent removal of the plate. Our series demonstrated that locking plate fixation of proximal humeral fractures is associated with a low rate of fixation failure and satisfactory outcomes in patients with significantly reduced bone mineral density

Locking plates have led to important changes in bone fracture management, allowing flexible biological fracture fixation based on the principle of an internal fixator. The technique of locking plate fixation differs fundamentally from conventional plating and has its indications and limitations. Most of the typical locking plate failure patterns are related to basic technical errors, such as under-sizing of the implant, too short working length, and imperfect application of locking screws. After analysis of the fracture morphology and intrinsic stability following fracture reduction, a meticulous preoperative planning is mandatory under consideration of the principles of the internal fixator technique to avoid technical errors and inaccuracies leading to early implant failure

Summary Statement. Tibia plateau split fracture fixation with two cancellous screws is particularly suitable for non-osteoporotic bone, whereas four cortical lag screws provide a comparable compression in both non-osteoporotic and osteoporotic bone. Angle-stable locking plates maintain the preliminary compression applied by a reduction clamp. Introduction. Interfragmentary compression in tibia plateau split fracture fixation is necessary to maintain anatomical reduction and avoid post-traumatic widening of the plateau. However, its amount depends on the applied fixation technique. The aim of the current study was to quantify the interfragmentary compression generated by a reduction clamp with subsequent angle-stable locking plate fixation in an osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic synthetic human bone model in comparison to cancellous or cortical lag screw fixation. Methods. Adult synthetic human tibiae with hard or soft cancellous bone were osteotomised at the lateral tibia plateau creating a split fracture (AO type 41-B1) and fixed with either two 6.5 mm cancellous, four 3.5 mm cortical lag screws or 3.5 mm LCP proximal lateral tibia plate, preliminary compressed by a reduction clamp (n = 5 per group). Interfragmentary compression was measured by a pressure sensor film after instrumentation. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni post hoc correction was performed for statistical analysis (p < 0.05). Results. Applying a reduction clamp, interfragmentary compression was 0.6 MPa ± 0.1 in non-osteoporotic and osteoporotic bone. The locking plate was able to maintain the compression (0.5 MPa ± 0.1) in non-osteoporotic and osteoporotic bone, but it was significantly lower compared to four cortical lag screws (non-osteoporotic p = 0.01; osteoporotic p = 0.03). Comparing four 3.5 mm cortical lag screws, compression was not significantly different between the non-osteoporotic (1.7 MPa ± 0.7) and osteoporotic bone (1.4 MPa ± 0.5). Two 6.5 mm cancellous lag screws achieved significantly higher compression in non-osteoporotic (2.1 MPa ± 0.6) compared to osteoporotic (0.8 MPa ± 0.2, p = 0.01) bone. Conclusion. Preliminary compression applied by a reduction clamp was maintained by angle-stable locking plates. The two 6.5 mm cancellous screw technique would especially be appropriate for young human non-osteoporotic bone, whereas the four 3.5 mm cortical screw configuration could also be applied in osteoporotic bone

Background. Volar locking plates have revolutionised the treatment for distal radius fractures. The DVR (Depuy) plate was one of the earliest locking plates which were used and they provided fixed angle fixation. Recently, newer volar locking plates, such as the Aptus (Medartis), have been introduced to the market that allow the placement of independent distal subchondral variable-angle locking screws to better achieve targeted fracture fixation. The aim of our study was to compare the outcomes of DVR and Aptus volar locking plates in the treatment of distal radial fractures. Methods. Details of patients who had undergone open reduction and internal fixation of distal radii from October 2007 to September 2010 were retrieved from theatre records. 60 patients who had undergone stabilisation of distal radius fractures with either DVR (n=30) or Aptus (n=30) plate were included in the study. Results. Mean age of patients undergoing fixation using DVR plate was 56.6 years (n=30) with 22 females and 8 males. Fractures in this group included 20 type 23-C, three type 23-B and seven type 23-A. The patients were followed up for an average of 5.5 months (2-16 months). 3 patients underwent revision of fixation due to malunion (n=1), non-union (n=1) and failure of fixation (n=1). Four patients had reduced movements even after intensive physiotherapy necessitating removal of plate. Mean age of patients undergoing Aptus volar locking plate fixation was 56.38 years (n=30) with 21 females and 9 males. There were 27 type 23-C, two type 23-B and one type 23-A fractures according to AO classification. The patients were followed up for an average of 4.1 months (2-11 months). 2 patients developed complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and 1 patient underwent removal of screws due to late penetration of screws into the joint. Conclusion. Complex and unstable fractures of the distal radius can be optimally managed with volar locking plates. Both systems are user friendly. Aptus plates provide an additional advantage of flexibility in implant positioning and enhanced intra-fragmentary fixation compared to the DVR plate. In our study Aptus plates had lower secondary surgical procedures compared to DVR plates