title: Comparison of compressive forces caused by various cannulated cancellous screws used in arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  When performing arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis for end-stage ankle arthritis, internal fixation is performed using bone screws after appropriate preparation. However, optimal characteristics of bone screws have not been examined in terms of pressure force. Objective comparisons of bone-screw performance may provide information on procedures for arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis. The study objectives were to determine whether it was possible to measure compressive force changes using the newly developed device and to infer all screw characteristics from measurement results when used in actual surgeries. In addition, we performed experiments on cadavers to verify whether the experimental results could be applied to the joints of living subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three types of screws (S1, S2, and S3) were inserted into the unique measurement device, and the changes in pressure were measured for each 45° turn. Changes in pressure and maximum pressure force were recorded after the application of the screws. After reaching the maximum pressure in the simulated bone, further screw rotations were accompanied by a gradual pressure decrease to 0 MPa. We also measured pressure changes in a similar manner by inserting a miniature pressure sensor into the talocrural joints of cadavers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean maximum pressure ± standard deviation for S1, S2, and S3 were 0.832 ± 0.164 MPa, 0.434 ± 0.116 MPa, and 0.414 ± 0.127 MPa, respectively. Pressure slopes to the maximum did not significantly differ between the screws in the simulated bone, and a subsequent pressure decrease to 0 MPa was significantly more rapid for S1 than for S2 and S3. Although pressure failure after the overtightening of screws was only observed in the simulated bone, patterns of pressure vs. rotation angle were similar in simulated and cadaveric bones. The pressure profile characteristics of three different screw types were determined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We were able to measure the compressive force changes using the newly developed device when the screws were inserted. On the basis of the measurement results, we were able to infer the characteristics of all screws when used in actual surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Fujimori Hospital, Matsumoto, Nagano Pref., 390-0811, Japan.|Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8522, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kamijo
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8522, Japan. tkumai@naramed-u.ac.jp.|Department of Sports Medicine, Nara Medical University, Shijo-cho 840, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8522, Japan. tkumai@naramed-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Tsukasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kumai
authors.affiliation: Industrial Research Institute of Shizuoka Prefecture, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka City, 421-1298, Japan.
authors.forename: Shogo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.affiliation: Industrial Research Institute of Shizuoka Prefecture, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka City, 421-1298, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mano
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8522, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuhito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001863:Bone Screws; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000601:surgery; D011312:Pressure; D011474:Prosthesis Design
keywords: Ankle arthrodesis; Cannulated cancellous screw; Compressive force; Miniature pressure sensor; Talocrural joint