Can Radiocarpal-Spanning Fixation Be Made More Functional by Placing the Wrist in Extension? A Biomechanical Study Under Physiologic Loads

Autor: Tobias Mann MD, MSc, Daniel J. Lee MD, Jason Dahl MD, John C. Elfar MD
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2016
Předmět:
Zdroj: Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation, Vol 7 (2016)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2151-4585
2151-4593
21514585
DOI: 10.1177/2151458515621109
Popis: We investigate whether applying an internal radiocarpal-spanning plate with the wrist in slight extension affects the biomechanical stability of the construct. An unstable distal radius fracture was simulated in 10 cadaveric specimens and immobilized with a radiocarpal-spanning plate holding the wrist in a neutral position. This construct was then physiologically loaded through the wrist flexor and extensor tendons. The resulting motion at the fracture was captured with a displacement sensor. The plate was then extended using an in situ bending technique, placing the wrist in extension, and the experiment was repeated. No statistically significant difference in the biomechanical stability afforded by the radiocarpal-spanning plate was detected with the wrist in extension compared to that in the traditional neutral position. The radiocarpal-spanning plate fixation was more stable when loaded through the extensor tendons. We conclude that immobilizing a distal radius fracture with an internal radiocarpal-spanning plate that holds the wrist in extension does not compromise biomechanical stability.
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