Biomechanical stability of a volar locking-screw plate versus fragment-specific fixation in a distal radius fracture model.
Eight matched pairs of cadaveric radii were osteotomized by removing a 4-mm dorsal wedge of bone at the level of the sigmoid notch designed to simulate dorsal comminution. They were then fixed with either a volar locking-screw plate or fragment-specific fixation. All constructs underwent biomechanical testing in a custom-designed, custom-fabricated 4-point bending device. No statistically significant difference in stiffness was noted between the groups. Linear displacement and angulation at the osteotomy site were significantly less in the group with fragment-specific fixation at loads expected to be encountered during postoperative rehabilitation. Angulation at the osteotomy site was significantly less in the locking-screw plate group at higher loads.
Cooper
Ellis O
EO
Curtis National Hand Center, Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
Segalman
Keith A
KA
Parks
Brent G
BG
Sharma
Krishna M
KM
Nguyen
Augustine
A
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016268:Internal Fixators; D011884:Radius / Q000601:surgery; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000503:physiopathology