title: Rigidity of unilateral external fixators--a biomechanical study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  External fixation is the primary choice of temporary fracture stabilisation for specific polytrauma patients. Adequate initial fracture healing requires sufficient stability at the fracture site. The purpose of this study was to compare the rigidity of the Dynafix DFS(®) Standard Fixator (4 joints) with the Orthofix ProCallus Fixator(®) (2 joints), which differ in possibilities for adapting the configuration for clinical needs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Both devices were tested 10 times in a standardised model. In steps of 10N, loading was increased to a maximum of 160N in parallel, transversal and axial direction (distraction and compression). Translation resultant and rotation resultant were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With a force of 100N in parallel direction the mean translation resultant (Tr(mean)) of the Dynafix DFS(®) Standard Fixator (6.65±1.43mm) was significantly higher than the ProCallus Fixator(®) (3.29±0.83mm, p<0.001; Student's t-test). With a maximum load of 60N in transverse direction the Tr(mean) of the Dynafix DFS(®) Standard Fixator was significantly lower (8.14±1.20mm versus 9.83±0.63mm, p<0.005). Translation was significantly higher with the Dynafix DFS(®) Standard Fixator, for both distraction (2.13±0.32mm versus 1.69±0.44mm, p<0.05) and compression (1.55±1.08mm versus 0.15±0.33mm, p<0.005). The mean rotation resultant (Rr(mean)) at 160N distraction was lower for the Dynafix DFS(®) Standard Fixator (0.70±0.17° versus 0.97±0.21°, p<0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both fixators were most sensitive to transverse forces. The Dynafix DFS(®) Standard Fixator was less rigid with parallel and axial forces, whereas transverse forces and rotation at distraction forces favoured the Dynafix DFS(®) Standard Fixator. Repeated heavy loading did not influence the rigidity of both devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery-Traumatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. p.t.p.w.burgers@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: P T P W
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Burgers
authors.forename: M P J M
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Van Riel
authors.forename: L M M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Vogels
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stam
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patka
authors.forename: E M M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Van Lieshout
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004867:Equipment Design; D016267:External Fixators; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D012399:Rotation; D013314:Stress, Mechanical