title: [Biomechanical study of double-plate fixation for comminuted fractures of the distal femur].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the new treatment approach for comminuted fractures of the distal femur.
  
  
  METHODS
  Supra- and intercondylar comminuted fractures were induced in the femurs of 20 fresh adult cadavers, 10 of which received fixation with lateral steel plates and medial polyethylenes plates while the rest with single plate in the lateral only. Biomechanical tests of bending, torsion and compression were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Biomechanical test demonstrated that double-plate fixation provided better resistance to compression (P<0.05) as well as bending and torsion (P<0.01) than single-plate fixation did.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Double-plate fixation is effective and may have potential clinical value in treating comminuted fractures of the distal femur.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Nanfang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
authors.forename: Ang-Ru
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Dao-Hai
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Ba-Sheng
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Gao-Hong
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Ren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000628:therapy*; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male