Logo image
Back
Comparison of crossed screw versus plate fixation for radial neck fractures
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Comparison of crossed screw versus plate fixation for radial neck fractures

Christina J. Gutowski, Kurosh Darvish, Asif M. Ilyas and Christopher M. Jones
Clinical biomechanics (Bristol), v 30(9), pp 966-970
01 Nov 2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2015.07.001
PMID: 26184087
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

Abstract

Plates Radial neck fracture Screws Stiffness Strength
Fixation of radial neck fractures can be achieved with a plate and screw construct or, in absence of comminution, with two obliquely-oriented screws. This study investigated the mechanical properties, specifically the stiffness and load to failure, of these two fixation strategies in a cadaver model. Ten matched-pair radii were removed from fresh cadaver arms. A transverse osteotomy was created at the neck of each radius. Right-sided radii were fixed with two oblique headless compression screws; left-sided radii were fixed with a radial neck plate. The distal aspect of each radius was potted in urethane casting resin. The radial head was loaded in shear in 4 different planes (medial to lateral, lateral to medial, posterior to anterior, and anterior to posterior) using an Instron machine. Stiffness and load to failure were recorded. The stiffness of both constructs was similar in all planes except for loading from medial to lateral where the screw construct was 1.8 times stiffer. Average ultimate failure occurred at 229N for the screws and 206N for the plate. Failure strength was not statistically different. However, mode of failure differed for both fixation constructs, the plate failed in bending while the screws failed by pullout and fracture. The two strategies provide similar strength and stiffness for the fixation of transverse, non-comminuted radial neck fractures. While plate and screw constructs are more appropriate for axially unstable or comminuted fractures, two oblique screws might be preferred for simple transverse neck fractures since this strategy requires less exposure and the implant is buried. •Fractures of the radial neck can be treated with open reduction internal fixation•Options for fixation include a plate/screw construct and obliquely-oriented screws.•Our analysis revealed similar biomechanical characteristics of these two strategies though failure modes differed•When loaded medially to laterally, the screw construct was 1.8 times stiffer.•Obliquely-oriented screws may be preferred in transverse, noncomminuted fractures

Metrics

2 Record Views
19 citations in Web of Science
20 citations in Scopus

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#5 Gender Equality

InCites Highlights

Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:

Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Engineering, Biomedical
Orthopedics
Sport Sciences
Logo image