title: Mechanical testing of bioresorbable implants for use in metacarpal fracture fixation.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanical properties of a bioresorbable plate and screw system that was developed for the treatment of unstable metacarpal fractures and to compare the strength and stiffness of this system with those of conventional titanium plates and screws. Using a 4-point bending test, we measured the strength and stiffness of these implants over a 12-week period of in vitro degradation. Our data suggest that these implants provide stable bending strength and stiffness for 8 weeks and gradually lose their strength over a period of 12 weeks. Further research is necessary to determine whether this level of fixation is adequate to stabilize unstable metacarpal fractures.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Bozic
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Fitzgibbons
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Jupiter
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016268:Internal Fixators; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008422:Materials Testing; D008663:Metacarpus / Q000293:injuries*; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D014025:Titanium
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide); D014025:Titanium