title: Analysis of three types of fixation of the Weil osteotomy.
abstract: This study assessed 3 methods of fixation for the Weil osteotomy. A total of 40 bone models were divided equally into 4 groups: a control group consisting of intact lesser rays; and Weil osteotomies that were fixated with 2 crossed Kirschner wires (0.045-in K-wires), 2.0-mm cortical screws, or cannulated 2.4-mm cortical screws. Each specimen was stressed in a computer-controlled hydraulic tensile testing machine, and maximum load, energy to failure, and stiffness were recorded. The following mean load to failure measurements were found: control, 62.9 Newtons (N); K-wire, 22.9 N; cannulated screw, 31.3 N; and noncannulated screw, 19.9 N. There was no statistical difference among the 3 groups of fixation methods in terms of the maximum load. The mean energy to failure of the control group was 326 joule (J); K-wire, 79 J; cannulated screw, 163 J; and noncannulated screw, 66 J. The cannulated screw generated a statistically greater amount of energy at failure than the noncannulated screw (P < .05). The mean structural stiffness of the control group was 7.3 N/mm; K-wire, 2.8 N/mm; cannulated screw 3.3 N/mm; and noncannulated screw, 3.2 N/mm. There was no statistical difference in structural stiffness among the 3 groups of fixation methods. The results indicated a trend toward better biomechanical stability with the 2.4-mm cannulated screw than the 2.0-mm noncannulated screw for fixation of the Weil osteotomy.
authors.affiliation: St. John North Shores Podiatric Surgical Residency Program, Harrison Township, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Craig T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Jex
authors.forename: Chanda J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rundell
authors.forename: Roger C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Haut
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.forename: Stuart J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Wertheimer
mesh_terms: D001863:Bone Screws; D001864:Bone Wires; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery; D008422:Materials Testing; D008683:Metatarsophalangeal Joint / Q000601:surgery; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013314:Stress, Mechanical