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Biomechanical analysis of new cross locking plates for metacarpal neck fracture

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Abstract

Purpose

In this study, the fixation strength of the new cross locking plate for metacarpal neck fracture was compared with Kirschner-wire (K-wire) or traditional dorsal locking plate.

Methods

Transverse metacarpal neck fracture models were created on 24 artificial metacarpal bone specimens using saw blade. The specimens were then divided into three groups of different fixation methods: (1) Two K wires (KW group); (2) Traditional dorsal locking plate (TP group); and (3) New cross locking plate (NP group). All specimens were examined with cantilever bending test on a material testing system, and the maximum fracture force and stiffness were used as indicators to evaluate the facture fixation strength. The results were compared using a one-way analysis of variance and Tukey test for post hoc analysis.

Results

For the maximum fracture force, the fixation capacities of the three metacarpal neck fracture groups were ranked as follows: TP group (355.8±42.5 N, mean±standard deviation)≅NP group (353.9±49.3 N) > KW group (193.3±32.8 N). For stiffness, the fixation capacities of the three groups were ranked as follows: TP group (69.0±4.8 N/mm)≅NP group (64.2±6.3 N) > KW group (27.0±5.8 N).

Conclusion

The fixation strength of the new cross locking plate was similar to that of the traditional dorsal locking plate and was substantially higher than that achieved when only two K-wires were used. In addition, the new cross locking plate may reduce the occurrence of tendon adhesion, joint stiffness, and the screws being pulled out from the metacarpal head, which can be caused by traditional dorsal locking plates.

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Availability of data and material

The data sets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

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Funding

This research was supported by Kuang Tien General Hospital, Taiwan (Kuang Tien 109-04) and China Medical University, Taiwan (CMU110-MF-95).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics, Kuang Tien General Hospital, 433, Taichung, Taiwan

    Chen-Yuan Yang & Ting-Yu Liu

  2. Department of Nursing, Hungkuang University, 433, Taichung, Taiwan

    Chen-Yuan Yang

  3. School of Dentistry, College of Dentistry, China Medical University, 404, Taichung, Taiwan

    Jui-Ting Hsu

  4. Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Asia University, 413, Taichung, Taiwan

    Jui-Ting Hsu

  5. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hungkuang University, 433, Taichung, Taiwan

    Ming-Tzu Tsai PhD

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  1. Chen-Yuan Yang
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  2. Ting-Yu Liu
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  4. Ming-Tzu Tsai PhD
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Correspondence to Ming-Tzu Tsai PhD.

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Yang, CY., Liu, TY., Hsu, JT. et al. Biomechanical analysis of new cross locking plates for metacarpal neck fracture. J. Med. Biol. Eng. 42, 404–413 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40846-022-00713-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40846-022-00713-8

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