title: Biomechanical evaluation of different fixation methods for tibial eminence fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tibial eminence fractures have become more common, but the best method of fixing these fractures arthroscopically has not been elucidated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to assess the stability of different fixation methods for tibial eminence fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Controlled laboratory study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors evaluated the initial fixation strength of 4 different fixation techniques for tibial eminence fractures (2 screws, 1 screw, suture fixation with 1 mm Ethibond, and suture fixation with No. 5 FiberWire) using single cycle and cyclic loading tests. The tests were performed by loading the knee with an anterior tibial shear force.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Suture cerclage with the FiberWire showed significantly higher maximum load (599.6 N) and stiffness (36.99 N/mm) than all other fixation methods tested. The lowest maximum load in the single cycle loading test was observed in the group with 2 screws (1 screw, 371.2 N; 2 screws, 249.8 N). The lowest stiffness was found in the Ethibond group (14.5 N/mm). After 1000 cycles of loading, the maximum load of the FiberWire fixation was significantly higher than the maximum load of the Ethibond fixation (399.4 N), the fixation with 1 screw (354.2 N), and the fixation with 2 screws (301.5 N).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These biomechanical data suggest that under cyclic loading conditions, suture fixation of tibial eminence fractures provides more fixation strength than screw fixation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A second screw has no positive effect on the biomechanical characteristics of screw fixation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery, Wilhelms University Münster, Waldeyerstr. 1, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Anne Kathleen
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Eggers
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weimann
authors.forename: Mirco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Herbort
authors.forename: Thore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zantop
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Raschke
authors.forename: Wolf
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Petersen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005858:Germany; D016268:Internal Fixators; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods; D013552:Swine; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*