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Biomechanical in vitro assessment of fixed angle plating using a new concept of locking for the treatment of osteoporotic proximal humerus fractures

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Abstract

Locked plating attempts to improve mechanical stability via better anchorage of the screws in the bone. In 22 paired osteoporotic humeri an AO/ASIF 11-B 1 fracture was created. Locked and conventional plating using the same device of the latest generation was performed. Torsional loading around three axes (x = varus/valgus, y = flexion/extension, z = axial rotation) with an increasing moment (2, 3.5, 5 and 7.5 N·m) was applied. Interfragmentary motion within the locked group was lower for all three axes with higher cumulative survival rates (p < 0.05). The typical mode of failure was loss of fixation in the humeral head occurring earlier in the conventional group. The locking mechanism investigated provides more ultimate strength in an osteoporotic proximal humerus fracture model. Correlation with BMD suggests that this device may especially be suitable for use in osteoporotic bone.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their gratitude to Mrs. Karin Werner for expert technical assistance in performing the experiment.

Conflict of interest

The study was sponsored with a grant from Zimmer Inc. The study sponsor played no role in designing the study, in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, in writing the manuscript or in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Trauma, Ulm University, Steinhoevelstrasse 9, 89075, Ulm, Germany

    Götz Röderer, Florian Gebhard & Gert Krischak

  2. Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, Ulm University, Helmholtzstrasse 14, 89081, Ulm, Germany

    Hans-Joachim Wilke & Lutz Claes

Authors
  1. Götz Röderer
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  2. Florian Gebhard
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  3. Gert Krischak
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  4. Hans-Joachim Wilke
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  5. Lutz Claes
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Correspondence to Götz Röderer.

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Röderer, G., Gebhard, F., Krischak, G. et al. Biomechanical in vitro assessment of fixed angle plating using a new concept of locking for the treatment of osteoporotic proximal humerus fractures. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 35, 535–541 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-010-1021-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-010-1021-9

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