Periprosthetic fracture fixation in Vancouver B1 femoral shaft fractures: A biomechanical study comparing two plate systems

This study compares two plate systems regarding their biomechanical properties and the handling in periprosthetic fracture fixation of the proximal femur.Materials and methodsUsing eight pairs of fresh, frozen human proximal femora, the locking compression plate/locking attachment plate ​construct (Group I, DePuy Synthes) was compared with the new LOQTEQ® periprosthetic distal lateral femur plate (Group II, AAP Implantate AG). After implantation of press fit femoral hip stems, a Vancouver B1 fracture model was used. Biomechanical testing was performed by cyclic axial loading with a constant increment of 0.1 ​N/cycle starting from 750 ​N axial loading. Every 250 cycles, an anterior–posterior x-ray was performed to evaluate failure.ResultsThe Group II showed significant higher axial stiffness (+42%) compared with Group I. In addition, Group II withstood significantly more load-cycles until failure (20%). The mode of catastrophic failure was plate breakage in Group II, whereas, in Group I, all plates showed an early bending followed by plate breakage.Discussion and conclusionBoth plate systems enable screw placement around hip stems. The hinge plate showed superior biomechanical results compared with the locking compression plate/locking attachment plate construct. Furthermore, the hinge plate offers variable hinges and variable angel locking making bicortical screw placement around hip stems more comfortable and safe.The translational potential of this articleThe re...

Source: Journal of Orthopaedic Translation - February 9, 2020 Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research