title: Load tolerance of tibial plateau depressions reinforced with a cluster of K-wires.
abstract: The efficacy of subchondral Kirschner wires in enhancing load tolerance of the tibial plateau articular cartilage was examined in a biomechanical study of cadaveric tibias. Seven patterns of K-wires were evaluated under axial loading equivalent to the maximum loading of the knee during normal gait. Subchondral K-wire reinforcement of tibial plateau depressions significantly enhanced load tolerance. This suggests that a subchondral cluster of K-wires in the treatment of tibial plateau fractures may protect the articular cartilage from the loss of reduction resulting from the forces applied to the knee during non-weight-bearing motion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Ioannina, School of Medicine, Greece.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Beris
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Soucacos
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Glisson
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Seaber
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Urbaniak
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001864:Bone Wires; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D013977:Tibia / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D016474:Weight-Bearing