Medical College of Wisconsin
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Spiral fracture fixation techniques. A biomechanical study. J Hand Surg Br 1993 Aug;18(4):515-9

Date

08/01/1993

Pubmed ID

8409671

DOI

10.1016/0266-7681(93)90162-9

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0027209873 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   25 Citations

Abstract

The mechanical strengths of five common fixation techniques for spiral fractures have been tested. A total of 240 cadaver metacarpals and proximal phalanges were fractured and fixed by either crossed K-wires, interosseous loops, a dorsal mini-plate, a single compression screw or K-wire plus cerclage wire. Specimens were subjected to torsional and cantilever bending tests. A single compression screw provided the best overall fixation for the proximal phalanx. In addition, a single compression screw provided better fixation than any of the other techniques when proximal phalanges and metacarpals were subjected to torsional tests (P < 0.05). In apex dorsal bending tests of metacarpals, the screw provided fixation superior to interosseous wires, crossed K-wires, or dorsal mini-plates (P < 0.05). These results indicate that the use of a single compression screw provides the most satisfactory biomechanical advantage for spiral fracture fixation.

Author List

Matloub HS, Jensen PL, Sanger JR, Grunert BK, Yousif NJ

Authors

Brad K. Grunert PhD Professor in the Plastic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Hani S. Matloub MD Emeritus Professor in the Plastic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
James R. Sanger MD Professor in the Plastic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Biomechanical Phenomena
Bone Plates
Bone Screws
Bone Wires
Finger Injuries
Fracture Fixation
Fracture Healing
Fractures, Bone
Hand Injuries
Humans
Metacarpus