Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Holding characteristics of fasteners in bone

Scope of investigation is to develop an in-vitro method of measuring ultimate pull-out forces of fasteners in bone, to determine the ultimate pull-out forces for these fasteners, and to translate the measured forces into stresses for purposes of engineering analysis

  • Published:
Experimental Mechanics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Abstract

A satisfactory method was developed for evaluating the holding characteristics of fasteners in bone. Using this method in over 100 tests, the ultimate pull-out forces and shear stresses were determined for two sizes of sheet-metal type of screws with various interference fits, for a commercial orthopedic self-tapping screw, and for two sizes of machine screws in tapped bone, each at five sections of equine metacarpus. The ultimate pull-out force was maximum at the midlength of the bone, and minimum at the distal end. In general, the failure mechanisms were bone-thread shear for low pull-out forces, bone splitting at intermediate pull-out forces, and bone fragmentation at high pull-out forces. The failure mechanisms of the bone indicate that orthopedic fasteners should possibly not be designed for maximum holding force.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

d :

dimension of metacarpus cross section, in.

D d :

drill diameter, in.

D i :

minor diameter of screw, in.

D o :

major diameter of screw, in.

F :

force, kips

F u :

ultimate force, kips

i :

interference,D o −Dd/D o −Di, percent

I :

interference,D o −Dd/D o , percent

L :

total length of metacarpus, in.

s :

fraction of length from proximal end, percent

τ u :

ultimate shear stress, ksi

δ:

displacement, in.

References

  1. Bynum, D., Jr., Ledbetter, W. B., Boyd, C. L. and Ray, D. R., “Compression Properties of Equine Third Metacarpal Bone,” paper presented at the annual meeting of Soc. of Engrg. Sci., St. Louis, Mo. (Nov. 1969).

  2. Boyd, C. L., Bynum, D., Jr., Ledbetter, W. B. and Ray, D. R., “Bone Properties and Fracture Propagation,” Proc. 15th Ann. Conv., Am. Assoc. Equine Practitioners, 85–97 (Dec. 1, 1969).

  3. Bynum, D., Jr., “Bone Splices and Fracture Phenomenon,” presentation given to SESA Gulf Coast Section, Houston, Texas (Dec. 11, 1969).

  4. Bynum, D., Jr., Ray, D. R., Boyd, C. L. and Ledbetter, W. B., “Capacity of Installed Commercial Bone Fixation Plates,” Am. Jnl. Vet. Res. (in press).

  5. Bynum, D., Jr., Ray, D. R., Ledbetter, W. B. and Boyd, C. L., “Torsional Properties of Equine Metacarpus,” Jnl. Matls.,6 (1) (Mar. 1971).

  6. Bynum, D., Jr., Ledbetter, W. B., Boyd, C. L. and Ray, D. R., “Flexural Properties of Equine Metacarpus,” Jnl. Biomedical Matls. Res. (in press).

  7. Bynum, D., Jr., Ledbetter, W. B., Boyd, C. L. andRay, D. R., “Parametric SCF in Greenstick Fracture,”Experimental Mechanics,10 (11),474–480 (Nov.1970).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. ASTM Newsfront in Technigram section, Matls., Res. and Stds. (Dec. 1969) pl.

  9. Bechtol, C. O., Ferguson, A. B. andLaing, P. G., Metals and Engineering in Bone and Joint Surgery, Williams and Wilkins, Co., Baltimore, Md. (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Oberg, E., andJones, F. D., Machinery's Handbook, 15th ed., Inaustrial Press, New York, N. Y. (1956).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Engineering Program, Texas A & M University, 77843, College Station, Texas

    D. Bynum Jr. (Assistant Research Engineer)

  2. Departments of Civil and Aerospace Engineering, Texas A & M University, 77843, College Station, Texas

    W. B. Ledbetter (Associate Professor)

  3. Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A & M University, 77843, College Station, Texas

    C. L. Boyd (Associate Professor)

  4. U. S. Army, USA

    D. R. Ray (second lieutenant)

Authors
  1. D. Bynum Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. W. B. Ledbetter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. C. L. Boyd
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. D. R. Ray
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

was formerly Engineering Research Associate, College of Engineering, Texas A & M University.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bynum, D., Ledbetter, W.B., Boyd, C.L. et al. Holding characteristics of fasteners in bone. Experimental Mechanics 11, 363–369 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02320538

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02320538

Keywords

Search

Navigation