[Screws versus screw-plate fixation of type 2 Schatzker fractures of the lateral tibial plateau. Cadaver biomechanical study. Arthroscopy French Society].
OBJECTIVE
We compared in vitro the efficacy of screw-plate fixation versus double screw fixation on a model of type 2 Schatzker fracture of the lateral tibial plateau.


METHODS
Ten screw-plate fixations using a lateral prebent plate and 10 double-screw fixations (6.5 mm screws) were made on 10 pairs of non-embalmed cadaver knees after simulation of type 2 Schatzker fractures. The strength of each fixation was tested with a compression device. Criteria indicating failure were displacements greater than 2 mm of one or more fracture lines. The force applied at rupture and the stiffness of each type of fixation were compared. Wilcoxon's test was used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
Force at rupture and stiffness of the fixation were similar for the two types of fixation. There was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) between the screw-plate and the double-screw fixations.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings on a model of type 2 Schatzker fractures are in agreement with previous data obtained by other authors working on models of type 1 Schatsker fractures. The biomechanical stability of the double-screw fixation is as good as that obtained with screw-plate fixation for the treatment of fractures of the lateral tibial plateau.
Boisrenoult
P
P
Service d'Orthopédie Traumatologie, Hôpital André-Mignot, Centre Hospitalier de Versailles, 78150 Le Chesnay.
Bricteux
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S
Beaufils
P
P
Hardy
P
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000628:therapy*