title: Hybrid external fixation of proximal tibia fractures: biomechanical analysis of four commercial systems.
abstract: To compare commercially available hybrid external fixator systems, mechanical testing was performed on fiberglass composite tibias with proximal metaphyseal fractures fixed with 4 hybrid systems (Ace-Fischer, Hoffmann II, Synthes Hybrid, and EBI DynaFix) and a custom "rigid" frame. The only significant difference between commercial systems was in axial loading where the Ace-Fischer allowed less motion than the other frames. In all cases the "rigid" reference frame allowed significantly less motion than the commercial systems. Approximately 50% of the motion comes from frame deformation and 50% from deformation of the pins and wires.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Bioengineering Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Voor
authors.forename: Valentin
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Antoci
authors.forename: Boon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kam
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000295:instrumentation; D004867:Equipment Design; D016267:External Fixators / Q000592:standards*; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*