title: Improving Spanning-Knee External Fixator Stiffness: A Biomechanical Study.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to test and compare external fixator construct stiffness using pin-to-bar clamps or multipin clamps across 2 external fixation systems. Constructs were tested with 8-mm and 11-mm-diameter bar systems and pin-to-bar or multipin clamps. Three construct designs were tested: construct 1 with a single crossbar and pin-to-bar clamps, construct 2 with 2 crossbars and pin-to-bar clamps, and construct 3 with 2 crossbars and multipin clamps. The stiffness of each construct (N = 24) was tested using anterior-posterior bending. Two crossbars and pin-to-bar clamps resulted in the highest mean stiffness. Constructs with a single crossbar and pin-to-bar clamps had a similar average stiffness compared with constructs with 2 crossbars and multipin clamps. Pin-to-bar clamps with 2 crossbars result in stronger spanning-knee external fixators than constructs using multipin clamps.
authors: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN. mihir.j.desai@vanderbilt.edu.
authors: Mihir J
authors: MJ
authors: Desai
authors: William M
authors: WM
authors: Reisman
authors: William C
authors: WC
authors: Hutton
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001858:Bone Nails; D004867:Equipment Design; D016267:External Fixators / Q000592:standards*; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D013525:Surgical Instruments