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The potential biomechanical advantage of lag by technique screw fixation of the posterior pelvic ring

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European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Diastasis of the sacroiliac joint after pelvic ring injury is commonly reduced by lagging by design with partially threaded (PT) screws. There may be a biomechanical benefit to lagging by technique with fully threaded (FT) screws. The purpose of this study was to compare these two methods.

Methods

Twelve pairs of synthetic bone blocks were lagged together with 8.0-mm FT or PT screws. Maximum compressive and steady-state force was measured. Pullout force testing was performed.

Results

The maximum compressive force of FT and PT screws was not different [mean difference (MD) 32 Newtons (N), 95% confidence interval (CI) 124, 60)]; however, lagging by technique with FT screws resulted in significantly higher steady-state force (MD 83 N, 95% CI 165, 5) and pullout force (MD 634 N, 95% CI 778, 491).

Conclusion

Lagging by technique with large diameter FT screws has a biomechanical advantage over lagging by design with PT screws.

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Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics, Denver Health Medical Center, 777 Bannock St, MC 0188, Denver, CO, 80204, USA

    Michael Maher, Joshua A. Parry & Cyril Mauffrey

  2. Department of Orthopedics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, USA

    Todd H. Baldini

Authors
  1. Michael Maher
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  2. Todd H. Baldini
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  3. Joshua A. Parry
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  4. Cyril Mauffrey
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Contributions

All authors made contributions to the conception and design of the study, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data and drafting the article or revising it, and gave final approval of the submitted version.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joshua A. Parry.

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Conflict of interest

Cyril Mauffrey has the following disclosures: Abbott: other financial or material support; Carbofix: research support; Current Opinion in Orthopaedics: editorial or governing board, DePuy; A Johnson & Johnson Company: other financial or material support; International Orthopaedics: editorial or governing board; La Societe Internationale de Chirurgie Orthopedique et de Traumatologie: board or committee member; Orthopaedic Trauma Association: board or committee member; OsteoMed: research support; Patient safety in surgery: editorial or governing board; Springer: publishing royalties, financial or material support; Stryker: paid consultant and unpaid consultant; The European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology: Editorial or governing board. Joshua Parry has the following disclosures: The European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology: editorial or governing board. The remaining authors have nothing to disclose.

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Maher, M., Baldini, T.H., Parry, J.A. et al. The potential biomechanical advantage of lag by technique screw fixation of the posterior pelvic ring. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 30, 1045–1048 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-020-02665-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-020-02665-8

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