Abstract
Complex tibia fractures are often provisionally stabilized with external fixation prior to definitive fracture fixation. Bicortical defects, such as those left after removal of a fixator pin, can decrease the torsional strength of long bone. Evaluating the effect of subsequent plate fixation in close proximity to a defect on the torsional strength of the tibia is the purpose of this study. Eight groups of 5 fourth-generation left composite tibias were tested to failure in torsion. The experimental plated groups consisted of bicortical defects at 3 cm, 2 cm, and 1 cm distal to the plate end, with 1 plated group without a defect. The control groups consisted of equivalent defects in the same distal longitudinal locations, without plates attached, as well as an unplated group without a defect. There were no statistical differences in torsional stiffness or failure torque between any of the groups. The mode of failure for all specimens with bicortical defects was a spiral fracture that bisected the axis of the defect. Based on the results of this composite tibia study, varying the proximity of a bicortical defect to a plate does not affect the torsional stiffness or torsional failure strength of the bone.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | E108-E111 |
Journal | American journal of orthopedics (Belle Mead, N.J.) |
Volume | 46 |
Issue number | 2 |
State | Published - Mar 1 2017 |
Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)
Cite this
Effect of Plate in Close Proximity to Empty External-Fixation Pin Site on Long-Bone Torsional Strength. / Speck, Fred L.; Morris, Randal P.; Lindsey, Ronald.
In: American journal of orthopedics (Belle Mead, N.J.), Vol. 46, No. 2, 01.03.2017, p. E108-E111.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of Plate in Close Proximity to Empty External-Fixation Pin Site on Long-Bone Torsional Strength
AU - Speck, Fred L.
AU - Morris, Randal P.
AU - Lindsey, Ronald
PY - 2017/3/1
Y1 - 2017/3/1
N2 - Complex tibia fractures are often provisionally stabilized with external fixation prior to definitive fracture fixation. Bicortical defects, such as those left after removal of a fixator pin, can decrease the torsional strength of long bone. Evaluating the effect of subsequent plate fixation in close proximity to a defect on the torsional strength of the tibia is the purpose of this study. Eight groups of 5 fourth-generation left composite tibias were tested to failure in torsion. The experimental plated groups consisted of bicortical defects at 3 cm, 2 cm, and 1 cm distal to the plate end, with 1 plated group without a defect. The control groups consisted of equivalent defects in the same distal longitudinal locations, without plates attached, as well as an unplated group without a defect. There were no statistical differences in torsional stiffness or failure torque between any of the groups. The mode of failure for all specimens with bicortical defects was a spiral fracture that bisected the axis of the defect. Based on the results of this composite tibia study, varying the proximity of a bicortical defect to a plate does not affect the torsional stiffness or torsional failure strength of the bone.
AB - Complex tibia fractures are often provisionally stabilized with external fixation prior to definitive fracture fixation. Bicortical defects, such as those left after removal of a fixator pin, can decrease the torsional strength of long bone. Evaluating the effect of subsequent plate fixation in close proximity to a defect on the torsional strength of the tibia is the purpose of this study. Eight groups of 5 fourth-generation left composite tibias were tested to failure in torsion. The experimental plated groups consisted of bicortical defects at 3 cm, 2 cm, and 1 cm distal to the plate end, with 1 plated group without a defect. The control groups consisted of equivalent defects in the same distal longitudinal locations, without plates attached, as well as an unplated group without a defect. There were no statistical differences in torsional stiffness or failure torque between any of the groups. The mode of failure for all specimens with bicortical defects was a spiral fracture that bisected the axis of the defect. Based on the results of this composite tibia study, varying the proximity of a bicortical defect to a plate does not affect the torsional stiffness or torsional failure strength of the bone.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85040913038&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 28437504
AN - SCOPUS:85040913038
VL - 46
SP - E108-E111
JO - American Journal of Orthopedics
JF - American Journal of Orthopedics
SN - 1078-4519
IS - 2
ER -