title: Impact of cement-augmented condylar screws in locking plate osteosynthesis for distal femoral fractures - A biomechanical analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Compromised bone quality and the need for early mobilization continue to lead to implant failure in elderly patients with distal femoral fractures. The cement augmentation of screws might facilitate improving implant anchorage. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of cement augmentation of the condylar screws on implant fixation in a human cadaveric bone model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten pairs of osteoporotic femora (mean age: 90 years, range: 84-99 years) were used. A 2-cm gap osteotomy was created in the metaphyseal region to simulate an unstable AO/OTA 33-A3 fracture. All specimens were treated with a polyaxial locking plate. Specimens randomly assigned to the augmented group received an additional cement augmentation of the condylar screws using bone cement. A servohydraulic testing machine was used to perform incremental cyclic axial loading using a load-to-failure mode.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All specimens survived at least 800N of axial compressive force. The mean compressive forces leading to failure were 1620N (95% CI: 1382-1858N) in the non-augmented group and 2420N (95% CI: 2054-2786N) in the group with cement-augmented condylar screws (p=0.005). Deformation with cutting out of the condylar screws and condylar fracture were the most common reasons for failure in both groups. Whereas axial stiffness was comparable between both osteosyntheses (p=0.508), significant differences were observed for the plastic deformation of the constructs (p=0.014).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present study showed that the cement augmentation of the condylar screws might be a promising technique for the fixation of distal femoral fractures in elderly patients with osteoporotic bones.
authors: Center for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Location Marburg, Germany. Electronic address: bliemel@med.uni-marburg.de.
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Bliemel
authors: Center for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Location Marburg, Germany. Electronic address: oberkirc@med.uni-marburg.de.
authors: Ludwig
authors: L
authors: Oberkircher
authors: Center for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Location Marburg, Germany. Electronic address: bockmann@med.uni-marburg.de.
authors: Benjamin
authors: B
authors: Bockmann
authors: Center for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Location Marburg, Germany. Electronic address: ericpetzold@gmx.de.
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Petzold
authors: Center for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Location Marburg, Germany. Electronic address: aignerr@med.uni-marburg.de.
authors: Rene
authors: R
authors: Aigner
authors: Center for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Location Marburg, Germany. Electronic address: heyse@med.uni-marburg.de.
authors: Thomas Jan
authors: TJ
authors: Heyse
authors: Center for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Location Marburg, Germany. Electronic address: ruchholt@med.uni-marburg.de.
authors: Steffen
authors: S
authors: Ruchholtz
authors: Center for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Location Marburg, Germany. Electronic address: buecking@med.uni-marburg.de.
authors: Benjamin
authors: B
authors: Buecking
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001843:Bone Cements; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D001843:Bone Cements
keywords: Biomechanical analysis; Cement augmentation; Distal femoral fracture; Osteoporosis; Polyaxial angular stable plate osteosynthesis