Stiffness of the locking compression plate as an external fixator for treating distal tibial fractures: a biomechanics study

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Research Article

Wei Liu¹  Lihui Yang¹  Xiaochuan Kong¹  Lei Zang¹  Likun An¹  Zicheng Guo¹  Gang Hong¹ 

[1] Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Chao Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100020, Beijing, China;

关键词: External fixation;    Tibia;    Fracture;    Locking compression plate;    Biomechanics;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12891-016-1384-1

 received in 2016-08-05, accepted in 2016-12-23,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundLocking compress plate, as external fixator, is an attractive technique for distal tibial fracture treatment. But it still remains unclear whether the external LCP has sufficient stiffness. Thus, the present study aims to make a comprehensive evaluation of the stiffness of external locking compress plate when it is used as an external fixator in distal tibial fractures treatment.MethodsComposite tibia was used to simulate distal tibia fracture (Orthopedic Trauma Association type 43 A3 fracture). The fractures were stabilized with medial distal tibial locking compress plates (LCP group), medial distal tibial locking compress plates with 30-mm plate-bone distances (EF-tibia group), and medial distal femur locking compress plates with 30-mm plate-bone distances (EF-femur group). Stiffness of each configuration was measured under axial compression loading and in axial torsion loading directions. Compression stiffness and torsional rigidity were compared across different groups.ResultsCompared with LCP group, (1) EF-tibia group showed significantly lower (p < 0.001) compression stiffness and torsional rigidity; (2) EF-femur group showed significantly lower (p < 0.001) compression stiffness, but significantly higher (p < 0.001) torsional rigidity.ConclusionsThe results indicated that locking compress plate as an external fixator was flexible, and the distal femur locking compress plate was preferred over the distal tibial locking compress plate to be an external fixator in distal tibia fracture treatment.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017