title: Stiffness of simulated radial neck fractures fixed with 4 different devices.
abstract: We performed a structural investigation of several fixation devices for radial head and neck fixation. Fourteen pairs of fresh-frozen human elbows were used to simulate unstable radial neck fractures fixed with each of the following plates: 2.0-mm T-plate, 2.0-mm blade plate, 2.7-mm T-plate, and 2.7-mm T-plate modified with a fixed-angle blade. The plate constructs were axially loaded in compression with a materials testing machine, and stiffness was calculated from a load-deformation curve. Through use of paired comparisons, the average stiffness of the modified 2.7-mm plate was found to be significantly greater than that of either 2.0-mm plate, whereas a trend was observed for increased stiffness of the modified 2.7-mm T-plate in comparison with the standard 2.7-mm T-plate. The results indicate that two important variables affecting construct stiffness are plate thickness and incorporation of a fixed-angle blade. Given these findings, the addition of a fixed blade to the 2.7-mm plate may improve the stability of fixation of comminuted radial neck fractures.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Glisson
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Caputo
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Goetz
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Goldner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D002102:Cadaver; D004548:Elasticity; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D000092464:Elbow Injuries