title: Stiffness of small-bone external fixation methods: an experimental study.
abstract: A variety of small-bone external fixation methods were evaluated to determine bending and torsional stiffness. Several methods of external pin stabilization with bone cement and with a commercial device were used. Among experimental variables examined were: the number of pins, pin diameter, pin length, pin spacing, and pin threading. The most rigid fixation was achieved with four pins held with a wire-reinforced bone cement fixator. Pin diameter was the most significant variable in the determination of stiffness with this configuration.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001843:Bone Cements; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000592:standards; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008663:Metacarpus / Q000601:surgery; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D013552:Swine; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D001843:Bone Cements