title: Comminuted supracondylar femoral fractures: a biomechanical analysis comparing the stability of medial versus lateral plating in axial loading.
abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical properties of medial and lateral plating of a medially comminuted supracondylar femoral fracture. A supracondylar femoral fracture model comparing two fixation methods was tested cyclically in axial loading. One-centimetre supracondylar gap osteotomies were created in six synthetic femurs approximately 6 cm proximal to the knee joint. There were two constructs investigated: group 1 and group 2 were stabilized with an 8-hole LC-DCP, medially and laterally, respectively. Both construct groups were axially loaded. Global displacement (total length), wedge displacement, bending moment and strain were measured. Medial plating showed a significantly decreased displacement, bending moment and strain at the fracture site in axial loading. Medial plating of a comminuted supracondylar femur fracture is more stable than lateral plating.
authors.affiliation: Trauma and Orthopaedic Department, Ashford and St. Peter's Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK. nukol@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Nikolai
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Briffa
authors.affiliation: Trauma and Orthopaedic Department, Ashford and St. Peter's Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Raju
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Karthickeyan
authors.affiliation: Trauma and Orthopaedic Department, Ashford and St. Peter's Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.affiliation: Trauma and Orthopaedic Department, Ashford and St. Peter's Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Arshad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khaleel
keywords: Axial loading testing; Construct stability; Medial versus lateral plating; Supracondylar femur fracture